Over a period of two years, 33,332 live-born infants were screened for the presence of identifiable congenital malformations. Congenital anomalies were present in 2.38% of all infants; major and minor malformations were present in 79% and 21% of the cases, respectively. Anomalies in general and chromosomal anomalies in particular were more common in multiparous women of advanced age. Anatomical organs most frequently affected were musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems; talipes, chromosomal anomalies and congenital cardiac defects being the most common. The incidence of congenital anomalies in infants of diabetic mothers was 13.8% compared with 3% in the non-diabetic population (P = < 0.01); multiple anomalies were present in 50% of the cases. Of a total of 770 infants born with malformations, 58 died during the early neonatal period with a mortality rate of 7.5% compared with an overall early neonatal death rate of 11.8/1000 live births.NA Mir, WC Galczek, A Soni, Easily Identifiable Congenital Malformations in Children: Survey of Incidence and Pattern in 32,332 Live Born Neonates. 1992; 12(4): 366-371 With the improvements in obstetric and neonatal care, there has been a steady decline in neonatal mortality from respiratory disease, infections, and asphyxia [1]. This has led to the emergence of congenital anomalies as an important cause of perinatal and neonatal mortality and morbidity [2]. There is a considerable ethnic and geographical variation in the incidence, frequency and distribution of various congenital malformations [3]. Reports on the prevalence and spectrum of congenital anomalies in the Arab population are sparse [2,4], although there are numerous reports on specific malformations [4][5][6]. The study concentrated on the epidemiological aspects of easily identifiable congenital anomalies in an urban area of eastern Libya. Data are given on the incidence, distribution, and pattern of congenital anomalies in this region. Material and MethodsIn Benghazi, the second largest city of Libya in population, over 95% of deliveries take place at the AlJamihiria Maternity Hospital (main obstetrical hospital for the Arab University of Garyounis). All live born neonates were examined by a pediatrician/senior pediatric resident within the first 24-hours of birth and prior to discharge from the hospital. Standard physical examination included assessment of gestational age by the Dubowitz et al method [7]. Infants with malformations were re-examined as an inpatient and/or in the neonatal follow-up clinic and the final diagnosis was confirmed or revised. In addition to routine investigations, karyotyping, echocardiography, cranial/abdominal ultrasound examinations, and computed axial tomography (CAT) were performed as and when

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the magnitude of risk factors associated with brachial plexus in infants born in hospital in Benghazi. A total of 7829 babies were examined over a period of 6 months. Twenty-eight had brachial palsy, giving an incidence of 3.6 per 1000 livebirths. Significant (P less than 0.001) perinatal risk factors observed were maternal parity greater than or equal to 6, maternal diabetes, instrumental deliveries, shoulder dystocia and foetal macrosomia. Other risk factors observed included breech extraction, postmaturity and prematurity (P less than 0.02). Complete brachial plexus injury was seen in 12 cases and six infants had residual handicap on follow-up at 18-24 months.

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Over a period of two years, 32,332 consecutive live-born babies were surveyed for facial clefts. A total of 17 patients with facial clefts were identified. After exclusion of the cases with other major congenital anomalies, the overall incidence of the facial clefts was 0.28/1,000 live births (alveolar, 0.12; postalveolar, 0.09; and prealveolar 0.06/1,000 live births). Maternal history of epilepsy and/or anticonvulsant drug intake was not present. There was a family history of facial clefts in four infants. Advanced maternal age and high parity were observed in seven (P < 0.05) and six (P < 0.05) cases, respectively. Six of the eight infants with major malformations died, with an overall mortality of 35.3%.NA Mir, ASJ Kishan, W Galczek, Facial Clefting in Arab Infants. 1988; 8(3): 206-208 MeSH KEYWORDS: Cleft palate-in infancy and childhood Perinatal mortality remains high in developing countries, 1,2 and congenital malformations are ranked as the leading cause of perinatal deaths.3 Facial clefts, one of the major congenital malformations, 4 result from interference with normal development and fusion of the embryonic frontonasal and maxillary processes.5 There is a strong genetic component in their etiology, but environmental factors have also been suggested from epidemiologic and experimental animal data.6-8 These malformations are readily recognized at birth and occur throughout the world with variable frequency. The epidemiology of facial clefting in the Arab population has not been reported previously. This prospective study surveyed the incidence and pattern of this congenital malformation in an Arab population. Subjects and MethodsThe subjects of this prospective study were all live-born babies born at Jamahiria Maternity Hospital, Benghazi, Libya, between 1 January 1982 and 31 December 1983. The hospital is the main maternity center in the eastern part of Libya, and over 96% of the deliveries in this region occur in this hospital. Standard physical examination of all newborns, including assessment of gestational age by the Dubowitz method, 9 was carried out by a qualified pediatrician or a senior pediatric resident within 48 hours of birth. The clefts were classified as (1) prealveolar, when only the upper lip was clef ting, varying from a notch in the red margin of the lip to a cleft extending into the floor of the nostrils; (2) postalveolar, when only palate was involved; and (3) alveolar, when clefting involved the upper lip, alveolus, and palate. Various clinical factors, such as maternal age and parity, gestation, mode of delivery, sex,