Mehare Tsegaye, Sharew Yewbmirt
Biomedical Science Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia.
Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia.
BMC Pediatr. 2025 Jun 9;25(1):470. doi: 10.1186/s12887-025-05808-0.
Congenital Anomalies, also known as birth defects, are structural, functional, or metabolic abnormalities present at birth or later in life that can result in physical or developmental impairments. In our study area, a notable proportion of newborns are affected by these conditions, posing significant challenges for healthcare providers and families in terms of diagnosis, management, and long-term care. Identifying the risk factors associated with congenital anomalies is crucial for developing targeted health interventions and improving neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to assess the birth prevalence and associated factors of congenital anomalies among neonates delivered at a public hospital in the Awi Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia, in 2023.
Institutional based cross-sectional study design was performed on 540 neonates. The study setting includes three primary hospitals (Gimjja Bete, Dangla, & Chagni) and Injibara general hospital from May 2022 to July 2023. The study subjects were mothers with their neonates delivered in the aforesaid facilities and those delivered at home and received care within the first 24 h following birth in the above health care settings.
The study found that 8.3% of neonates (45 out of 540) had congenital anomalies. Several factors were significantly associated with these birth defects: mothers who did not take folic acid supplementation before and during early pregnancy had 8 times higher odds of having a baby with congenital anomalies (AOR: 8.04; 95% CI: 2.43-26.59). Unwanted and unintended pregnancies were associated with 3.27 times greater risk (95% CI: 1.25-8.56), while women with a history of neonatal death after 28 weeks gestation in previous pregnancies faced 2.44 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.10-5.42). Additionally, mothers who did not receive dietary counseling during pregnancy showed 2.09 times increased likelihood of having babies with congenital anomalies (95% CI: 1.08-4.06).
This study found an 8.3% prevalence of congenital anomalies among neonates in Awi Zone, with central nervous system defects being most common. To mitigate this public health issue, we recommend: enhanced preconception and antenatal care with mandatory folic acid supplementation and nutritional guidance, comprehensive psychosocial and economic support programs for expectant mothers, and expanded access to family planning services to prevent unintended pregnancies.
Not applicable.
先天性异常，也称为出生缺陷，是指出生时或生命后期出现的结构、功能或代谢异常，可导致身体或发育障碍。在我们的研究区域，相当比例的新生儿受这些疾病影响，这给医疗服务提供者和家庭在诊断、管理及长期护理方面带来了重大挑战。识别与先天性异常相关的风险因素对于制定有针对性的健康干预措施和改善新生儿结局至关重要。本研究旨在评估2023年在埃塞俄比亚西南部阿维地区一家公立医院分娩的新生儿中先天性异常的出生患病率及相关因素。
对540名新生儿进行了基于机构的横断面研究设计。研究地点包括三家基层医院（金贾贝泰、丹格拉和查尼）以及因吉巴拉综合医院，研究时间为2022年5月至2023年7月。研究对象为在上述机构分娩的母亲及其新生儿，以及在家分娩并在上述医疗机构出生后24小时内接受护理的新生儿。
研究发现8.3%的新生儿（540名中的45名）患有先天性异常。有几个因素与这些出生缺陷显著相关：在怀孕早期及之前未补充叶酸的母亲生出患有先天性异常婴儿的几率高8倍（调整后比值比：8.04；95%置信区间：2.43 - 26.59）。意外怀孕和非意愿怀孕的风险高3.27倍（95%置信区间：1.25 - 8.56），而既往妊娠在孕28周后有新生儿死亡史的女性面临的几率高2.44倍（95%置信区间：1.10 - 5.42）。此外，孕期未接受饮食咨询的母亲生出患有先天性异常婴儿的可能性增加2.09倍（95%置信区间：1.08 - 4.06）。
本研究发现阿维地区新生儿先天性异常患病率为8.3%，中枢神经系统缺陷最为常见。为缓解这一公共卫生问题，我们建议：加强孕前和产前护理，强制补充叶酸并提供营养指导；为孕妇提供全面的心理社会和经济支持项目；扩大计划生育服务的可及性以预防意外怀孕。
不适用。
