Prevalence of congenital anomalies in 1000 live births in Javaheri Hospital, Tehran, 2004

ABSTRACT

Totally, 3-5% of neonates have detectable congenital anomalies. Congenital anomalies are important causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. With decreasing incidence of fatal infectious diseases, congenital anomalies would be one of the main causes of infants mortality in future. This study has performed to determine the prevalence of congenital anomalies in 1000 live-born neonates at Javaheri Hospital in Tehran during a 6-month period in 2004. For this cross sectional study, 1000 live-born neonates were selected. Neonates with major and minor anomalies were identified by reviewing their medical records. Finally, data analysis was achieved by SPSS software. Congenital anomalies were identified in 52 of 1000 live-born neonates, mostly among male neonates. Undescended testis was by far the most common congenital anomaly. According to the involved system, there was orderly the anomalies of musculoskeletal system, urogenital, cardiovascular, CNS and GI tract. Calcaneovalgus [musculoskeletal anomaly] and undescended testis and hypospadiasis [urogenital anomalies] were found more frequently than others. Some of the congenital anomalies are not recognized at birth and may occur later in life, thus, the aforementioned prevalence rate is underestimated. Attention to preconception care, prenatal care and genetic counseling for high risk parents have important role in prevention of congenital anomalies