Prevalence and Risk Factors for Major Congenital Anomalies among Egyptian Women: A Four-Year Study

Background: There is a variation in the incidence and risk factors of congenital anomalies between countries. Congenital anomalies are structural defect that originates before birth, interfering with normal body function and leading to morbidity or even early death. Aim of the Study: To determine the most common fetal congenital anomalies among Egyptian women and to estimate some of the risk factors that may predispose to these anomalies. Methods: This study is a case control study, carried at the Fetal Medicine Unit and the High Risk Pregnancy Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasr Al Aini Hospital, Cairo University. The study included 2 groups of patients; 300 pregnant women (cases) with fetal congenital anomalies in the current pregnancy and 100 pregnant women (controls) without fetal congenital anomalies over the study period from January 2009 to January 2013. Risk factors were reviewed and the anomalies were grouped according to the organ and system involved. Results: A total of 300 cases with fetal congenital anomalies and 100 pregnant controls were included. Risk factors included; residence, drug intake, radiation exposure, family history of congenital anomalies, consanguinity and maternal diseases. Central nervous system (CNS) were the most common anomalies 32.1%, Renal & urinary tract anomalies 14%, Gastro-intestinal tract 9.0%, Cardiac anomalies 6.3%, Skeletal 5.6%, Head & neck 5.3%, Thorax 4.0%, and miscellaneous as hydrops (5%), Down (2%), conjoined twins (1%), and more than one defect (11%). Conclusion: Congenital anomalies are one of the most important causes of fetal deaths or later infant morbidity that can be detected prenatally by detailed ultrasound scan. Neural tube defects; Anencephaly was the most prevalent anomaly detected.