Musculoskeletal Birth Defects at a Tertiary Centre and Associated Maternal Risk Factors

This study was aimed at determining the incidence and risk factors of musculoskeletal birth defects in the newborns delivered at a teriary centre. This was a prospective, observational study in a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year from 1st june, 2015 to 31st may, 2016 in Gauhati medical college and hospital. All newborns delivered in the obstetric department were screened for musculoskeletal birth defects. Clinical examination, skeletal survey and laboratory work up were performed, and data were analyzed. A total of 37 newborns were found to have skeletal abnormality with overall incidence of the musculoskeletal birth defect being per 1000 live births. . Male and Female ratio was 1.71. Among the 37 cases of musculoskeletal defects, the most common was congenital talipes equinovarus (15.22 %). Primiparity, lower socioeconomic status, rural habitation were the associated maternal risk factors found.