Prevalence of congenital anomalies and related factors in live births in Zahedan, Southeast of Iran: A cross-sectional study

Background: The term congenital anomalies (CAs) refer to structural or functional abnormalities at the time of conception. Approximately ۱۲ deaths related to congenital disabilities occur in every ۱۰,۰۰۰ babies born. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of single and multiple CAs in live births in Zahedan, Southeast Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۵۹,۰۸۷ live births in a referral hospital in Zahedan located in the southeast of Iran during ۲۰۰۹-۲۰۱۹. All live births were examined by pediatricians and the CAs and categorized based on the international classification of diseases. Results: Of ۵۹,۰۸۵ live births, at least ۸۸۳ had a significant anomaly, and the prevalence rate of CAs was about ۱۴۹ per ۱۰,۰۰۰. Anomalies of the nervous (۲۴.۱%) and cardiovascular systems (۲۱.۱۰%) were the most frequent, occurring in ۲۱۳ and ۱۸۷ of the live births, respectively. Spina bifida is the most common anomaly of the central nervous system. The most common anomalies in the cardiovascular system were unspecified heart malformations (۱۷.۱%), cardiovascular malformations (۱۸.۷%), and patent ductus arteriosus (۱۱.۷%). Significant correlations were found between the parent's consanguinity marriage, the mother's age, an existing anomaly in the family, and relatives in single and multiple CAs (p = ۰.۰۲, p = ۰.۰۲, p < ۰.۰۰۱, p = ۰.۰۱, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of CAs was ۱۴۹ per ۱۰,۰۰۰ live births. The highest prevalence of CAs was related to the central nervous system. Increasing the public's knowledge about fetal defects can reduce the prevalence of CAs.

Keywords:

Congenital anomalies , Hospitalization , Iran , Live birth , Prevalence , Risk factors. , ناهنجاری های مادرزادی , بستری , ایران , تولد زنده , شیوع , عوامل خطر.