Surveillance of congenital malformations and their possible risk factors in a teaching hospital in Punjab

Background: Congenital malformations (CMF) are third most common cause of perinatal mortality in India making their prediction and prevention highly eminent. The present study was designed to analyze the frequency, distribution and patterns of CMF among babies born in a teaching hospital in Punjab, along-with factors contributing towards their occurrence. Methods: This was a prospective study in which the incidence of CMF was determined in 1554 consecutive deliveries conducted at Gian Sagar Medical College, Banur, from July 2010 June 2011. Diagnosis of CMF was based on prenatal ultrasound or clinical evaluation of the newborn by the neonatologist. Various risk factors associated with occurrence of CMF were studied. Results: The incidence of CMF was 4.44% (n=69). Out of the babies born with CMF, 49 (71.01%) were still born, and major defects were present in 68.11%. CNS and urogenital system were most commonly involved, while 8.6% babies had multiple anomalies. High age and parity, parental consanguinity, bad obstetrical history, inadvertent drug ingestion enhanced risk; with no effect of radiation exposure and antenatal infections. Conclusions: Incidence of CMF in our population was 4.44%: frequently associated with increasing age, parity, consanguineous marriage, maternal disease and drug ingestion.