Spectrum of Congenital Malformations in Neonates at a Rural Teaching Hospital — A Cross Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: The global estimates of congenital anomalies in neonates are 6% and few of them are severe enough to cause death. According to World Health Organization (WHO), congenital anomalies attribute to 17-42% of the infant mortality. Apart from causing death, they also contribute to preterm births, childhood and adult mortality, with significant repercussions in families. With the advancement of technology, there has been a decrease in the number of deaths due to other causes and there has been an increasing concern about congenital anomalies. This calls for an inquiry into the recent burden of congenital anomalies and their associated risk factors. Hence, the study was carried out. Objectives: 1. To assess the frequency and pattern of congenital anomalies. 2. To determine the factors associated with congenital anomalies. Materials & methods: This is an observational study which included all live born neonates with congenital anomaly/ies admitted to R L Jalappa Hospital (RLJH) and still born neonates or aborti with congenital anomaly/ies delivered in RLJH during the study period. A detailed history of the study participants was taken, and all the anomalies were coded as per the ICD coding system. For still born babies, aborti and neonatal deaths, infantogram, gross autopsy and histopathological examination findings were noted. Statistical analysis: Data was analysed using “Microsoft excel sheet” and the analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS-16) software. Significance was defined as p<0.05. Results: Our hospital had 2,400 deliveries during the study period, out of which the frequency of congenital anomalies was 1.3%. As per the associated risk factors, 66.6% of the babies had no associated risk factors while the remaining 33.4% of the babies had an associated risk factor. Most commonly seen risk factor in the study was 3rd degree consanguinity (11.1%). As per the system involved, Musculoskeletal system involvement was seen in the majority (63.9%) of the neonates, followed by Cardiovascular system in 11.1%, Central Nervous System (CNS) in 8.3%, Genital system in 8.3%, Lymphatic system in 5.6%, Gastrointestinal system in 2.8%, Cutaneous in 2.8%, Oral cavity in 2.8% and syndromic anomaly in 2.8%. Conclusion: The prevalence of congenital anomalies is considerably high and increasing the awareness to prevent them is the need of the hour. Appropriate consideration should be given to reducing the risk factors and genetic counseling should be provided to parents with high risk. Keywords: Congenital malformations, Neonates, Congenital anomalies