FREQUENCY OF CONGENITAL ANOMALIES IN NEWBORNS AND ASSOCIATED MATERNAL RISK FACTORS IN WOMEN AGED 35 YEARS AND ABOVE
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Keywords
Congenital anomalies, maternal age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, twin gestation, cardiac disease.
Abstract
Background: Congenital defects remain a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Advanced maternal age, as well as maternal comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease have been identified as important risk factors. This study seeks to evaluate associated maternal risk factors and study the incidence of congenital anomalies in infants born to women 35 or older.
Objective: To study the occurrence of congenital anomalies in infants born to women ≥35 years of age and evaluate maternal comorbidities.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of patients at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, conducted between August 2023 and January 2024 included, using non-probability consecutive sampling, 170 women 35 and older who delivered live singleton infants. Maternal information, maternal comorbidities and congenital anomalies were collected using a structured proforma. Associations were evaluated using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, and p ≤ 0.05 was statistically significant.
Results: Congenital anomalies were found in 33 (19.4%) of newborns. The most frequent anomalies were hydrocephalus (24.2%), Down syndrome (18.2%), and congenital heart disease (18.2%). Maternal diabetes (40.0%), hypertension (37.0%), twin gestation (24.2%), and cardiac disease (3.0%) had a significant association with congenital anomalies (p ≤ 0.05). There was no significant association with congenital anomalies and mode of delivery via cesarean section (p = 0.801).
Conclusion: Maternal diabetes, hypertension, twin gestation, and cardiac disease were significantly associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies in newborns of women aged 35 or over. Improved prenatal care with a focus on the management of these conditions must be a priority in order to reduce poor outcomes in neonates.
References
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