Publication:

Profile of congenital malformations in a tertiary care level neonatal intensive care unit

Background Congenital malformations are important causes of infant and childhood deaths, chronic illness and disability.

Methods This prospective observational study was conducted over a period of one year in Princess Esra Hospital, a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. All new-borns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit over a period of 1 year from June 2014 to June 2015 were included in the study.

Results The incidence of congenital malformations (CMF) in the present study is 3%. Among the major congenital malformations, the central nervous system (CNS) and gastrointestinal (GI) malformations were more frequent than others contributing to 28.9% each. The male neonates were more frequently involved than females. Association of low birth and prematurity with increased risk of congenital malformations is also documented.

Conclusions Early prenatal diagnosis and management of common anomalies is strongly recommended.