Risk Factors and Complications of Newborns with Birth Defect: A Hospital based Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Birth defect is one of the most important causes of neonatal mortality worldwide. In a developing country like Bangladesh many possible factors for birth defects are present which should be identified. This study was performed to determine those risk factors of birth defect and complications associated with it.
 Materials and Methods: A hospital based matched case-control study was conducted from August 2015 to July 2016 in department of Neonatology along with Obstetrics and Gynecology at BSMMU. A total of 98 mother-infant pair (49 babies with birth defect as cases and 49 healthy babies without any birth defects as controls) was included in the study. For each case, a gestational age, sex and post-natal age matched control was taken. Data was collected by face to face interview. Univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression models were computed to examine the effect of independent variables on outcome variable using SPSS 23.0. Variables with p-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant.
 Results: The mean (± SD) birth weight for cases and controls were 2718.37 (±756.9) grams, and 2617.14 (±978.8) grams respectively. Cardiovascular system was the predominant system (21%) involved in birth defects. Maternal age between 20-29 years (AOR: 4.69; 95% CI 1.078, 20.448), less than four antenatal care visits (AOR: 10.07; 95% CI 2.816, 36.0), no multivitamin intake (AOR: 7.38; 95% CI 1.791, 30.365) and presence of maternal diabetes (AOR: 0.194; 95% CI 0.047, 0.799) were significantly associated with birth defects among newborns. Sepsis, asphyxia, hypoglycemia and dyselectrolytemia were the most prevalent problems among these babies. The need of intravenous fluid, thermal care, antibiotics and mechanical ventilation was also high among the cases.
 Conclusion: Birth defect is an upcoming issue in current newborn health situation which need to be prioritized. Significant risk factors should be addressed timely for early diagnosis and proper management of these babies can help in reduction of mortality.
 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(1) 2020 p.133-140

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.…”

“…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 .…”

Prevalência e fatores associados às malformações congênitas em nascidos vivos

“…Outros estudos também apontaram o menor número de consultas pré-natais como fator associado ao nascimento com malformações congênitas. (30,33) A organização de boas consultas pré-natal, o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde e a suplementação com ácido fólico são medidas profiláticas simples, porém eficazes, de prevenção para malformações congênitas. (34) O início do acompanhamento pré-natal ainda nas primeiras semanas de gestação e a realização do número de consultas preconizadas permite detectar precocemente alterações no feto, bem como previne a exposição a fatores ambientais e teratogênicos.…”

Omphalopagus Conjoined Twins: A Case Report

“…It is reported that among risk factors for foetal anomaly is diabetes mellitus. 4 By saying that, the patient is free of any risk factors which might not explain why she got conjoint twin pregnancy. Twins pregnancy, in general, might give a different joy to the parent but having conjoined twins may cause another complete surprise.…”