A profile of birth defects in a tertiary care center and focus on preventable causes: a cross sectional observational study

Abstract

Introduction: Birth defects may be defined as “all structural, biochemical and functional disorder present at birth”. The worldwide incidence of congenital malformations is estimated at 15 –30 per 1000 births. Congenital malformation is already the leading cause of infant mortality in United States. In India prevalence is about 60 to 70 per 1000 live births. Epidemiological studies of specific congenital malformations will provide information for the planning, provision and evaluation of health services. That’s why in this study we want to evaluate clinical profile of birth defects. We also focused on preventable causes of congenital anomalies

Aim: To know the profile of birth defects among the newborns born in a tertiary care center and look for the preventable causes associated with birth defects.

Methodology: cross-sectional prospective observational study done during 2018 September to 2019 September done at Niloufer hospital Hyderabad. In the present study only intramural babies were included, both live and still born babies were included. Statistical analysis done by SPSS version 20.

Results: Incidence of congenital anomalies in the present study is 22.43 per 1000 births. Central nervous system malformation is found to be the commonest malformation (24.63%). Followed by cardiovascular malformations (20.15%), Gastrointestinal system (17.91%) and musculoskeletal system (17.91%). Among the central nervous system malformations spina bifida (44.48%) was found to be the commonest malformation. The incidence of CNS malformation was 6.16 per 1000 births. In cardiovascular system ventricular septal defects, in gastrointestinal system cleft lip and palate and in musculoskeletal system congenital talipes equino varus were the most common birth defects.

Conclusion: Most common congenital anomaly in our hospital was central nervous system malformations followed by cardiovascular system. One of the major portions of birth defects were caused by preventable casues.