Speakers - 2026

Title: Prevalence and Clinical Presentation of Congenital Anomalies in Neonates

Abstract

Congenital anomalies remain a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to specialized healthcare and preventive services is limited. Understanding their prevalence, clinical patterns, and associated maternal risk factors is essential for improving neonatal outcomes.

This prospective observational study was conducted at the Departments of Pediatric Medicine and Pediatric Surgery, Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital, Bangladesh, from April 2012 to September 2012. During the study period, a total of 1,017 neonates were admitted, of whom 80 newborns diagnosed with congenital anomalies were enrolled using purposive sampling. Detailed maternal, antenatal, and neonatal data were collected using structured questionnaires. Clinical and anthropometric examinations were performed for all participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0, and ethical approval was obtained from the institutional ethical review committee.

The hospital-based prevalence of congenital anomalies was 7.2%. The mean age of affected neonates was 4.04 ± 3.43 days, with a male predominance of 65%. The mean birth weight was 2437.5 ± 324.4 grams, and the mean gestational age was 35.59 ± 2.33 weeks. Most mothers had irregular antenatal care, and common associated maternal risk factors included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, consanguineous marriage, and inadequate antenatal follow-up. Frequently observed anomalies included cleft lip and palate, congenital heart diseases, hydrocephalus, neural tube defects, ambiguous genitalia, and anorectal malformations.

Regarding clinical outcomes, 66.3% of neonates were discharged with medical advice, 13.7% were discharged on request, and 20% expired during hospitalization. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis, improved antenatal surveillance, and multidisciplinary neonatal care. Strengthening maternal health services and community awareness programs may significantly reduce the burden of congenital anomalies in resource-limited settings.