Pattern of Major Congenital Anomalies and their Outcome

Background: Congenital anomalies are one of the most common causes of morbidity in developed and developing countries. Early detection and prevention of birth defects is necessary to further reduce the morbidity and mortality in neonates.

Objective: The study was to know the common congenital anomalies and their outcome in a tertiary referral centre.

Material and Methods: Study included 859 admissions in neonatal ICU Department of Paediatrics in a tertiary care hospital from January 2012 to December 2012. Neonates with congenital anomalies were diagnosed by clinical examination and appropriate investigations with exclusion criteria of minor anomalies. Medical or surgical intervention was done accordingly.

Results: Out of 859 admissions 59 were diagnosed to be suffering from congenital anomalies. The results showed a prevalence of congenital anomalies of 6.8% and out of that major cases were of GI disorders in the tune of 75% followed by nervous system disorders to the tune of 19%. 84.7% patients were males and 15.3% were females which could be because of the gender bias in the society though we cannot confirm it.

Conclusion: As compared to other studies GI disorders appear to be more common and by improvement in antenatal, postnatal diagnosis, early referral to tertiary hospital and early intervention most of these infants can be saved.