Descriptive epidemiology of external structural birth defects in Enugu State, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the birth prevalence, trend, and characteristics of external structural birth defects occurrence in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study involving review of delivery records.

SETTING

The study was conducted at three tertiary hospitals, one public and two missionary, in Enugu Metropolis.

PARTICIPANTS

Mothers and their babies delivered between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2016 in the study facilities.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Birth prevalence of defects presented as frequency/10,000 births. Other descriptive variables are presented as frequencies and percentages.

RESULTS

There were 21530 births with 133 birth defects (birth prevalence: 61.8/10,000 births) and 1176 stillbirths (stillbirth rate: 54.6/1000 births). The frequencies and birth prevalence (/10,000 births) of recorded defects were: Limb deformities 60(27.9), Neural tube defects (NTDs): 36(16.7), Urogenital system defects: 12(5.6), Gastrointestinal system defects 10(4.6) and Orofacial clefts 4(1.9). Birth defects occurrence showed a rising trend from 2009 to 2016. The mean (SD) age of mothers whose babies had Birth defects was 29.1(4.7) years. Only 62(46.6%) of 133 antenatal clinic folders of these women were traceable for further review. Eighteen (29.0%) had febrile illness in early pregnancy, 9(14.5%) had Malaria, 17(27.4%) had <4 antenatal clinic attendance, 7(11.3%) did not take folic acid and 6(9.7%) took herbal medications during pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Birth defects occurrence showed a rising trend with limb deformities and NTDs having the highest prevalence. Record keeping was poor at the facilities. Birth defects preventive interventions like folic acid supplementation for women-of-childbearing age should be promoted in Enugu Metropolis.

FUNDING

This work was supported by the non-communicable disease Minigrant from the Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, Georgia, USA (TPN-FE-NCD-C2-IFO-9).