Examining Prevalence of Fetal Defects and Related Factors in Neonates Born and Hospitalized in Kerman Reference Hospital: A ۶۶-Month Study

Background: Congenital malformations are one of the most important causes of disability and mortality of neonates. Many of these defects can be prevented. Therefore, recognizing and preventing the threatening factors that cause the adverse outcomes of pregnancy can prevent excessive costs to the family and society. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of congenital malformations and some related factors in Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study and historical cohort, ۱۰۸۹ neonatal files were selected from ۴۳۰۷۶ files in the period of March ۲۰۱۴ to September ۲۰۱۹ by stratified sampling method with proportional allocation. Maternal and neonatal information including gender of infant, maternal and neonatal blood type, first and fifth minute Apgar score, LMP-based gestational week, maternal underlying disease, history of disease in pregnancy, maternal addiction, maternal number of pregnancies, number of childbirths, number of live children, number of stillbirths, history of abortion and stillbirth, type of childbirth and the congenital anomalies and its type were extracted from the files and recorded in the researcher-made checklist. Results: The prevalence of congenital malformations in neonates was ۱۶.۶%. The most common malformations were cardiovascular malformations (۵۵.۳%) and genitourinary malformations (۱۹.۳%). Girl gender, lack of maternal addiction, increasing maternal pregnancy, low Apgar score, and hospitalization in NICUs increase the chances of congenital malformations in neonates. Conclusion: The prevalence of congenital malformations in neonates was ۱۶.۶%. The most common malformations included cardiovascular malformations and genitourinary malformations.