Statistical Study on Congenital Anomalies

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Congenital anomalies are known as a major cause of neonatal death with prematurity and birth injuries. We surveyed the incidence of congenital anomalies among livebirths and stillbirths delivered at our hospital, and detected in neonatal and postneonatal period. METHODS: The statistical study was done about congenital anomalies among 9,569 deliveries (9,438 livebirths and 131 stillbirths) at Ulsan University Hospital during the periods of 5 years from Jan 1992 to Dec 1996. We reviewed delivery and newborn record, OPD chart, admission chart retrospectively. We investigated the incidence of congenital anomaly according to each year, period, outcome of delivery, sex, birth weight, gestational age, maternal age, Apgar score, multiple pregnancy, and each system. RESULTS: 1) The overall incidence of congenital anomalies was 5.0% (481 cases) among 9,569 deliveries. The annual incidence was 4.5% in 1992, 5.1% in 1993, 5.2% in 1994, 5.8% in 1995, 4.7% in 1996. 2) The incidence of congenital anomalies detected in neonatal period was 3.5% (333 cases) and 1.5% (148 cases) in postneonatal periods. 3) The incidence of congenital anomalies was 4.9% among live births and 9.2% among stillbirths. 4) The incidence of congenital anomalies was 5.3% in male and 4.7% in female. 5) The incidence of congenital anomalies among the babies, below 2,500g of birth weight was 7.7%, between 2,500g and 3,999g was 4.7%, and over 4,000g was 6.8N. 6) The incidence of congenital anomalies among the babies, below 32 weeks of gestational age was 12.9%, between 32 weeks and 36 weeks was 7.4%, between 37 weeks and 41 weeks was 4.7%, and over 42 weeks was 5.1%. 7) The babies born to mothers younger than 20 years of age have anomalies in 7.1%, mother between 20 years of age and 35 years of age in 5.0%, and older than 35 years of age in 6.5%. 8) The incidence of congenital anomalies according to Apgar score among live births between 0 and 3 was 9.8%, between 4 and 6 was 6.0%, and between 7 and 10 was 5.0%. 9) The incidence of congenital anomalies according to multiple pregnancy was 8.6%. 10)The systems of congenital anomalies in order of incidence were as follows; The digestive system (25.6%), the cardiovascular system (22.1%), the genitourinary system (18.9%), the musculoskeletal system (15.5%), the skin and soft tissue (11.7%), the central nervous system (1.6%), the respiratory system (l%), the others (3.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Regular examination and screening on congenital anomaly is required from newborn period to infant and childhood. In view of these considerations, the incidence of congenital anomaly may be increased more than the past reports because of development of recent diagnostic techniques.