Demographic Features and Risk Factors for Congenital Anomalies in Baghdad: Single Center Experience

Abstract Background: Congenital anomalies (CAs) are a major cause of childhood deaths and disability worldwide. Etiology is thought to be multifactorial. Those factors may be genetic (10%–30%), environmental (5%–10%), or multifactorial (20%–35%), whereas 30%–45% are unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to identify socio-demographic features and possible risk factors for CAs in a sample of Iraqi children in Baghdad. Materials and Methods: A prospective case‐control study was conducted at Fatima Al-Zahraa Pediatrics and Maternity Hospital in Baghdad. Neonates diagnosed with CAs were included and compared to age and gender-matched randomly selected healthy newborns. Neonatal and maternal information was taken for every individual in the study. Results: The most commonly affected system was the musculoskeletal system (29.69%). Consanguinity, smoking, and irregular visits to antenatal care (ANC) centers were more frequent among mothers of neonates with CAs than those without anomalies. In addition, a family history of CAs was reported in 40.62% and 23.43% of neonates with and without CAs with statistical significance. Folic acid supplementation was absent in 29.69% of mothers with congenital anomaly children compared with 14.06% in those without congenital anomaly children. Previous sibling anomalies were reported in 18.75% of neonates with CAs versus 3.12% of those without CAs. Conclusion: Several independent risk factors for CAs were identified, including preterm birth, residency in an urban area, smoking, previous sibling anomalies, positive family history of CAs, lack of folic acid supplementation and irregular visits to ANC centers.