Abstract
Congenital anomalies are abnormalities of prenatal origin, and their prevalence varies worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and spectrum of overt congenital anomalies in live born neonates in selected hospitals in the Kano metropolis of North western Nigeria, as well as the associated maternal, paternal and neonatal risk factors. A descriptive study design was employed. All live born neonates in three major hospitals in Kano metropolis were prospectively studied from April 2013 to December 2013. Detailed family history and clinical data were recorded in a structured questionnaire for each child. A total of 1456 live born neonates were recruited into the study, of which 41 (28.15 per 1000 live births) had overt congenital malformations with 5 (12.20%) having multiple system involvement and 36 (87.80%) having a single system affectation. The most common system involved in neonates with isolated single system malformations were the central nervous system (10 cases) and the genitourinary system (10 cases). The consanguinity rate in the study was 17.83%. Birth weight of the neonates had a significant but negative association with the likelihood of being born with a congenital malformation (OR = 0.374; (95% CI 0.196 - 0.711) P = 0.003). Given the high frequency of potentially preventable central nervous system malformations in this study, emphasis on the primary prevention of congenital malformations by encouraging periconceptional use of folic acid containing multivitamin supplements is recommended.
Highlights
IntroductionCongenital malformations known as birth defects are structural or functional anomalies of prenatal origin which result from a defect or abnormality in the process of development [1,2,3,4]
Total of 1456 live born neonates were recruited into the study, of which 41 (28.15 per 1000 live births) had overt congenital malformations with 5 (12.20%) having multiple system involvement and 36 (87.80%) having a single system affectation
Congenital malformations known as birth defects are structural or functional anomalies of prenatal origin which result from a defect or abnormality in the process of development [1,2,3,4]
Summary
Congenital malformations known as birth defects are structural or functional anomalies of prenatal origin which result from a defect or abnormality in the process of development [1,2,3,4]. The birth prevalence of congenital anomalies varies from country to country. Birth defects are an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality as it is estimated that one out of every 3 babies that die in the world has a congenital anomaly [7,8]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 260,000 deaths worldwide (i.e. 7% of all neonatal deaths) were caused by congenital anomalies in the year [9]. Birth weight showed a significant association (p=0.003) with being born with a congenital malformation, as children who weighed less than. 2.5kg at birth, had a higher prevalence of congenital malformation (8/98; 8.16%) than those who weighed 2.5kg –
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
