Abstract
Human embryo is well protected in the uterus by the embryonic membrane, although teratogens may cause developmental disruptions after maternal exposure to them during early pregnancy. Most of the risk factors contributing to the development of congenital anomalies are uncertain; however, genetic factors, environmental factors and multifactorial inheritance are found to be risk factors. Regardless of their clinical importance, there are little/no studies conducted directly related to predisposing risk factors in southwestern Ethiopia. The study aimed to determine the associated risk factors with congenital anomalies among newborns in southwestern Ethiopia. Case-control study was conducted on newborns and their mothers in six purposively selected hospitals in southwestern Ethiopia from May 2016 to May 2018. Data was collected after evaluation of the neonates for the presence of congenital anomalies using the standard pretested checklist. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. P <0.01 was set as statistically significant. Risk factors such as unidentified medicinal usage in the first three months of pregnancy (AOR = 3.435; 99% CI: 2.012-5.863), exposure to pesticide (AOR = 3.926; 99% CI: 1.266-12.176), passive smoking (AOR = 4.104; 99% CI: 1.892-8.901), surface water as sources of drinking (AOR = 2.073; 99% CI: 1.221-3.519), folic acid supplementation during the early pregnancy (AOR = 0.428; 99% CI: 0.247-0.740) were significantly associated with the congenital anomalies. In this study, risk factors such as passive smoking, exposure to pesticides, chemicals and use of surface water as a source of drinking during early pregnancy had a significant association with congenital anomalies. There is a need to continuously provide health information for the community on how to prevent and control predisposing risk factors.
Highlights
Human embryo is well protected in the uterus by the embryonic membrane, teratogens may cause developmental disruptions after maternal exposure to them during early pregnancy
Pregnancy (AOR = 0.428; 99% CI: 0.247–0.740) were significantly associated with the congenital anomalies. Risk factors such as passive smoking, exposure to pesticides, chemicals and use of surface water as a source of drinking during early pregnancy had a significant association with congenital anomalies
Abnormal development occurs because of the interference of normal development from genetic disorders, environmental factors, and the combination of both genetic and environmental factors during the critical period of embryogenesis. This leads to abnormal cytogenesis, histogenesis and morphogenesis with which the neonate born with a defect known as a congenital anomaly (CA) [1,2]
Summary
Human embryo is well protected in the uterus by the embryonic membrane, teratogens may cause developmental disruptions after maternal exposure to them during early pregnancy. Regardless of their clinical importance, there are little/no studies conducted directly related to predisposing risk factors in southwestern Ethiopia
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