Frequency of Birth Defects in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Birth defects usually present at birth and may cause morbidity and mortality in the newborn. These defects may involve any organ system of the body. Gradually the incidence is rising due to various etiologies. The objective of the study was to find out the frequency, types and etiology of birth defects.
 Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. In this study, 100 neonates with birth defects were enrolled, thoroughly examined, investigated and evaluated. Then collected data were analyzed.
 Results: The frequency of birth defects in this study was 1.54%. The most frequent birth defect was club foot deformity i.e. 11% and the most frequently involved organ system was cardiovascular system i.e. 28%. Among the birth defects 78% were major and only 22% were minor. Among those children with birth defect mortality was 17%; 41% were referred to advanced center and 42% were improved and discharged. In some of the cases with birth defect chromosomal anomaly, congenital infection (TORCH), maternal diabetes was found as causing factor.
 Conclusion: The frequency of birth defects was found 1.54% and most of the birth defects were major defect. Club foot deformity was found as the most common birth defect.
 Bangladesh J Child Health 2020; VOL 44 (1) :8-12

Prevalence and Pattern of Birth Defects in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

“…Birth defects were more common in male (male 59%, female-38%, M:F-2:1) in this study .Similar male preponderance were observed in Amin T et al 11 , Banu et al 14 , Fatema et al 16 and Afroze s et al 17 studies from Bangladesh and Hossain et al and Sanker et al studies from India 13,15 . It may be because of the fact that the females were afflicted with more lethal congenital malformations and could not survive to be born with signs of life.…”

“…The most prevalent birth defect were musculoskeletal system defect (30%) followed by central nervous system defect (19%), cleft lip/palate (13%) while the least were urinary system (1%) (Figure 1). 11 The low prevalence in our study was due to exclusion of stillborn and aborted cases which were included in other studies. The pattern of birth defect may vary over time or with geographical location reflecting a complex interaction of known and unknown genetic and environmental factors including socio-cultural, racial and ethnic variable 12 .…”

“…13 16 . Other studies done by Amin T et al and Afroze s et al found that cardiovascular system defect was most common defect followed by musculoskelstal system defect 11,17 .…”