O&G Forum

OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY FORUM 2022 | ISSUE 3 | 6 Introduction Congenital Birth Defects (CBD) is an important cause of infant and childhood deaths and may result in lasting disability with signi cant impact on individuals, families, healthcare systems and societies. In developing countries there is also the confounding factors of delayed reporting and lack of appropriate medical care or facilities causing congenital malformations to be associated with unacceptably high morbidity and mortality. Reported incidence varies from 3% for major congenital malformations to 12 to 15% for minor defects. Worldwide, major CBD contributes to 303 000 newborn deaths within 4 weeks of birth every year. e aim of this study was to determine the proportion and types of congenital birth defects in live newborns and to study O&G Forum 2022; 32: 06-09 ORIGINAL RESEARCH Prevalence of congenital birth defects (CBD) and associated risk-factors of babies delivered at Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein South Africa: 2013-2017 S.M. Baloyi 1 and M.A. Booi 1 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein, South Africa Abstract Background: Congenital birth defects are an important cause of stillbirths and neonatal mortality, chronic illness, and disability. The prevalence of congenital anomalies may vary over time or by geographical location. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the proportion and types of congenital birth defects in live/dead newborns and to study maternal and perinatal risk factors. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out in the maternity unit of Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein, South Africa, during January 2013 to December 2017. All the live/stillborn babies born in the hospital during this period were included. The newborns were examined for the presence of congenital anomalies. Results: During the study period, 2430 babies were born, of which 239 had congenital malformations, making the prevalence 9.84%. Most of the women giving birth (49.79%) belonged to the age group 20 to 29 years. Congenital anomalies were seen more commonly (69.87%) in the multiparas in comparison to the primiparas (30.13%). The predominant system affected by congenital defects was the central nervous system (CNS) (40.60%) followed by multiple/gross congenital anomalies (18.83%) and the musculoskeletal system (12.98%). Intracranial defects (congenital hydrocephalus and ventriculomegaly; 28.88%) were the most common type of CNS defect seen. Results indicated that CBD was more likely to be associated with low birth weight, prematurity, multiparity, and cesarean delivery. Conclusion: This study highlighted specific opportunities to improve primary prevention and care of congenital anomalies. Public awareness of the preventable risk factors must be raised, and early prenatal diagnosis and management of common congenital anomalies is strongly recommended. Folic acid supplementation, preconception diabetes screening and related counselling could have significant and broad health benefits in women included in this study and arguably in the larger South African population. Keywords: Congenital anomaly, prematurity, prevalence, risk factors, types Correspondence S.M. Baloyi email: BaloyiSM@ufs.ac.za