PATTERN OF CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS IN NEWBORN

This hospital based prospective observational study was done to identify the point prevalence of congenital malformations over a period of six months from January 2011 to June 2011. The overall incidence of congenital malformation was 2.2 percent. The number of congenital malformations was found to be more in female babies and in babies born of younger mother in the age group of 18-21 yrs. The pattern of congenital malformations were Central Nervous System (28.5percent), followed by Cardio Vascular System (24.6percent), Gastro Intestinal Tract (15.4percent), Musculoskeletal (11.6percent), Multiple congenital anomalies (9.8percent), Chromosomal anomaly (7.7percent), Genitourinary (1.2percent), Respiratory System (1.2percent). In CNS, meningomyelocele was the most common malformation. Frequency of congenital anomalies was more common in term babies (1.7percent) than the preterm infants (0.5percent) and in vaginally delivered babies as compared to caesarean born babies (1.3percent Vs 0.9percent). This present study highlights the importance of complete clinical examination of neonate at birth and regular antenatal checkup.