A study of congenital anomalies in newborn.

ABSTRACT

Total 4210 babies were studied in the neonatal period immediately after birth, which shows overall 0.88%. incidence of congenital malformations. Incidence was significantly higher (6.1%) in mothers aged > 30 years as compared to younger age group. Religious pattern of mother and consanguinity of marriage had no much effect on the incidence. The incidence was marginally higher in primiparous patients (47.2%). Only in 12% of cases some etiological factors could be found, of which maternal fever in first trimester was the most common. 10 cases with CNS malformations had hydroamnious. The anomaly was detected antenatally in 49%cases with the help of USG. The ration of still birth to live birth was 4.191 suggesting that many of the anomalies are incompatible with life. There was no overall difference in the sex of the babies. However most of anencephalic babies were female. Preterm babies had four times more incidence of congenital malformations as compared to term babies. This represents ―phenomenon of nature’s selection‖. Associated hydroamnios also accounts for preterm labour similarly congenital malformations were more commonly found in low birth weight baby. Out of all system involved in congenital mal formation, CNS was the commonest and accounted for 1/3 rd of the cases.