Frequency of Congenital Anomalies in Newborns of Women having Age above 35 Years of Age

Objective: To determine the frequency of various congenital abnormalities in newborns born to mothers having age above 35 years of age. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Jinnah Post graduate Medical College, Karachi from 5th of August 2023 to 31st January 2024. Comprehensive data on each neonate were collected, including gender, maternal age, and maternal BMI, considering that both low and high BMI are risk factors for congenital anomalies. Additional data such as parity, booking status, residential status, maternal comorbidities (diabetes and hypertension), and gestational age were documented. Results: Among patients with no previous births, 24.6% had congenital heart defects, 11.1% had Down syndrome, 15.2% had hydrocephalus, 17.2% had anencephaly, and 21.2% had cleft lip and cleft palate. In those with 1-5 births, congenital heart defects were observed in 59.4%, Down syndrome in 77.8%, hydrocephalus in 66.7%, anencephaly in 62.1%, and cleft lip and cleft palate in 61.6%. Patients with more than five births had lower frequencies of these anomalies. Conclusion: Congenital heart defects were the most commonly observed anomalies in 81.2% of newborns followed by cleft lip 58.2% born to mothers aged over 35 years. Early prenatal diagnosis of these abnormalities plays an important role in reducing perinatal mortality by enabling timely medical intervention, parental counseling, and, when necessary, the option of early termination of pregnancy to prevent complications associated with severe congenital defects.