Anila Arfaksad, Yasmin Wajahat.
Frequency of Fetal Congenital Anomalies and Associated Risk Factors Observed in Pregnant Women in a Public Sector Hospital of Karachi.
Ann Abbasi Shaheed Hosp Karachi Med Dent Coll Jan ;21(3):139-46.

Objective: To identify congenital anomalies and their risk factors in pregnant women presenting at a public sector hospital of Karachi. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics, Orangi town, a public sector hospital in Karachi, from January 2014 to December 2015 after obtaining institutional ethical approval. Convenience sampling was used in this study. All those women who presented with diagnosed congenital anomalies consecutively either in outpatient department or came directly to ward for the termination of pregnancy were included after their informed verbal and written consent. A predesigned proforma was used to take a complete history, associated risk factors and relevant information of the congenital anomalies. The data was analyzed quantitatively by using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 11,946 women were admitted in Obstetrics department during the study period. Data was calculated on daily bsis from outpatients’ and inpatients’ records of the hospital. The data was analysed by using descriptive statistic; frequency distribution technique. Out of the total 87 (0.72%) presented with different fetal congenital anomalies. Among them, 34 (39.0%) were male, 47 (54.0%) were female and 6 (7.3%) of the fetuses with gender not clear. Majority of the women who delivered babies with congenital anomaies, were not taking folic acid during pregnancy 49 (56.3%). Maternal age parameter revealed that out of 87 women, 37 (42.2%) were between the age of 26-30 years. Majority of patients belonged to poor socioeconomic status i.e. 71 (81.6%). Congenital anomalies presented more in fetuses of multiparous women than in those with first pregnancy.Most commonly involved body systemwere central nervous system 45 (51.7%) followed by musculoskeletal 16 (18.3%), gastrointestinal system 15 (17.2%), congenital syndromes 7 (8.0%), genitourinary 2 (2.4%), cardiac 1 (1.2%) and respiratory system 1 (1.2%). Conclusion: The central nervous system was affected the most. Healthcare authorities must consider primary prevention in the form of vaccination such as Rubella vaccine, nutrition and drugs such as folic acid to reduce preventable congenital anomalies. It will further help in developing awareness amongst women. Keywords: Congenital anomalies, fetuses, Pakistan, frequency, risk factors. IRB: Approved by Sindh Government Qatar Hospital. Dated: 7th November 2015.

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