Potential Risk Factors for Congenital Malformations in Neonates: A Case Series Study in Two Tertiary Care Hospitals of Lahore City

Abstract

Objective: 1.To Study the potential risk factors for congenital malformations in neonates
admitted at two tertiary care hospitals of public sector in Lahore city. 2.To find out the frequency of
systems affected in congenital anomalies.
Methods: It was a “case series” study conducted at Children hospital and Services hospital
Lahore. All the congenital malformations from 1st April to 30th April, 2013, in neonates admitted
in these institutions were included in the study. Mothers of 40 cases of congenital malformations
were interviewed after taking verbal consent, using self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire.
Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 14.
Results: The frequency of cousin marriages in parents with congenitally malformed children
was considerably high i.e. 65%. Majority of mothers i.e. 62.5% were below metric, 87.5%
belonged to low income group, 62.5% did not made an increase in diet during pregnancy, 35%
suffered from stress during pregnancy and 30% had previous abortion. The number of anomalies
of urogenital system and GIT were higher with frequency of 45% and 30% respectively with a
cumulative frequency of 75%.
Conclusion: The frequency of congenital malformations was considerably higher among
parents with consanguinity, in low income groups, mother's education less than metric and
paternal age greater than 30 years. The number of anomalies of urogenital system and GIT were
higher in our subjects with frequency of 45% and 30% respectively with a cumulative frequency of
75%.