Frequency of Common Congenital Anomalies among Neonates in Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study

Aim: To determine the frequency of common congenital anomalies among neonates in tertiary care hospital

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration: Children Hospital Larkana Pakistan from April to October 2018.

Methodology: One hundred twenty-four newborns with congenital anomalies were included in this study after taking parental consent. All the newborns were assessed by prenatal, natal, and postnatal history, general physical examination, and relevant investigations like ultrasound abdomen, echocardiography, and CT Scan Brain were done; Questionnaire was filled out immediately within 24 hours after hospital admission.

Results: The mean maternal age of the patients was 24.16±4.13 years. Central nervous system (CNS) anomalies were observed in 21% of cases. Neural tube defects like hydrocephalus 6.5%sacrococcygeal teratoma 2.4%, meningomyelocele 11.3%, and encephalocele 0.8%. Cardiovascular system (CVS) anomalies were found in 11.3% cases in which cyanotic 2.4%, (2 were Tetralogy of Fallot and 1 was Transposition of great arteries) Acyanotic 8.9% (10 Ventricular septal defects and 1 atrial septal defect). Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) Anomalies (39.5%) like, duodenal atresia (0.8%), anorectal malformations (25%), Pyloric Stenosis (0.8%), exomphalocele (5.6%), diaphragmatic hernia (2.4%), Hirschsprung disease (4.8%). Genitourinary system abnormalities (16.9%) like Hypospadias (14.5%), undescended testes (0.8%), cloacal exstrophy (0.8%) and hydrometrocolpos (0.8%). Musculoskeletal abnormalities (11.3%) like clubfoot (0.8%), developmental dysplasia of Hip (0.8%), polydactyly (1.6%) and cleft lip & palate (8.1%) of cases.

Conclusion: Congenital abnormalities are prevalent in our setup, and the CNS is the most commonly involved system, followed by the gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, cardiovascular system, and musculoskeletal system. The prevalence and pattern of congenital defects must be known in order for healthcare providers to create preventive interventions at various levels.