Prospective Observational Study on Prevalence and Outcome of Congenital Abnormalities in Fetus in Tertiary Health Care

Background: Congenital abnormalities are the abnormality of structure, function, or body metabolism present at birth and result in physical/mental disability or is fatal. Congenital anomalies are important cause of perinatal, early neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality. most of birth defects are preventable. The frequency of the anomalies can be reduced by either removing the risk factor or reinforcement of protective factors. Method: Prospective descriptive study; Sample size: (N=53); Overall 39 births (live +stillbirth) & 132 MTPs at tertiary health care to assess the prevalence and outcome of congenital abnormalities in fetus and to assess the most common congenital abnormalities in the tertiary health care. Result: Incidence of anomalous fetuses (live + stillbirth + MTPS) is 1.3; majority patients were 26-30yr (mean age 27.13) and incidence is more among multiparous than nulliparous and distributed more amongst the class 3 of modified kuppuswamy scale: frequent medical comorbidities were DM, HTN +DM, HTN, Asthma. Distributed more among non consanguineous marriages and nil history of prior anomalous birth and family history of congenital abnormal fetus. About 22.6% of the mother has inadequate intake of folic acid supplementation and 13% associated with CNS anomalies. The remaining mother had anomalous fetuses inspite of folic acid supplements reason being inadequate periconceptional FA supplementation. Major anomalies=68%, male prevalence=55% out of which 72.4% had major abnormalities. Total 61 anomalies were identified. CNS Anomalies=46%; cardiac malformation=23%; genitourinary+10% etc. Pregnancy outcome were Live birth=60%; MTP=32%. APGAR Score of >7 had good prognosis and were observed in NICU and NND=71%; stillbirth=29%. Conclusion: congenital abnormalities leading to developmenmtal abnormalities if diagnosed at an early gestational age can be terminated. Awareness of antenatal, postnatal care has decreased the perinatal mortality; however perinatal death due to congenital malformations still remains a major group, can be prevented by periconceptional folic acid supplementation. Congenital malformations due to preventable causes like alcohol; infections; FA supplements can be decreased by spreading awareness or educating via periconceptional counselling.