Observed birth prevalence of congenital anomalies among live births at a regional facility in KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa.

Muhammad Zubayr Saib,Helen Louise Malherbe,Barnesh Lalloo Dhada,Colleen Aldous,Jj Cray

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0255456

Muhammad Zubayr Saib, Helen Louise Malherbe + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255456

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Aug 3, 2021
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Grey's Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Congenital disorders (CDs), defined as abnormalities in structure or function present at birth, are an important contributor to the disease burden in developing countries. The size and extent of the problem in South Africa (SA) are unknown due to the lack of recent, reliable, observed data on CDs. To address this empirical data gap, this study aimed to measure the birth prevalence of congenital anomalies (a sub-set of CDs) and to describe the pattern of these anomalies at a regional hospital in KwaZulu Natal (KZN), SA. A retrospective, observational, descriptive review of congenital anomalies diagnosed within the neonatal service at Edendale Hospital (EDH), KZN was undertaken between January and December 2018. All EDH in-house live births diagnosed and notified with congenital anomalies by discharge were included. Stillbirths, other pregnancy losses and out-born neonates were excluded. Data were actively collected from the birth register, neonatal admission register, and the individual paper-based surveillance tool developed by the National Department of Health. The in-facility birth prevalence rate for congenital anomalies was 15.57 per 1 000 live births. The most observed system was musculoskeletal (32%) followed by circulatory system anomalies (19%). When the observed birth prevalence rates of key congenital anomalies were compared with previously published, modelled South African data, no significant difference was found. This study responds to the paucity of birth prevalence data on CDs overall and offers evidence that obvious, structural CDs (congenital anomalies) need to be addressed in the SA public health system.

Highlights

Congenital disorders (CDs) are defined as structural or functional abnormalities of prenatal origin which are present at birth [1]
As a group of conditions, CDs are a major contributor to the global burden of disease, with an estimated 5 million births affected by serious CDs, which result in death or lifelong disability in the absence of care
The birth prevalence for this period was 15.57 per 1 000 live births. This equates to 1 in every 64 live births affected by a congenital anomaly at Edendale Hospital (EDH) in 2018

Summary

Introduction

Congenital disorders (CDs) are defined as structural or functional abnormalities of prenatal origin which are present at birth [1]. As a group of conditions, CDs are a major contributor to the global burden of disease, with an estimated 5 million births affected by serious CDs, which result in death or lifelong disability in the absence of care. In 2010, the World Health Assembly (WHA) reaffirmed the importance of CDs as a healthcare issue through the adoption of Resolution WHA 63.17 and outlined actions for their management and prevention [4]. These remain relevant to achieving Goal 3 targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to decrease neonatal and infant mortality rates and preventable under-five deaths by 2030 [5]. Many of these actions are yet to be implemented by member states, including South Africa (SA)

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