Authors :
Kalubi Peters; Ochora Moses; Keneema Olive; Tibaijuka Leevan; Nampijja Dorah; Kyasimire Lydia; Kyoyagala Stella
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
http://tinyurl.com/2bw3evza
Scribd :
http://tinyurl.com/3ffcn8cw
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10458060
Abstract :
Background.
Birth Defects (BDs) are among the leading causes of
infant mortality and morbidity globally. About 95%
deaths from birth defects occur in middle and low
income countries. However, there is still less
comprehensive data about BDs in low resource settings.
The prevalence and patterns of birth defects varies
across different geographical regions and this may be
reflective of variation in aetiological factors in different
geographical regions.
Study Objective.
We determined the prevalence, patterns and
associated factors of birth defects among neonates at
admission at Mbarara Regional Referral
Hospital(MRRH) in South Western Uganda.
Methods.
Between June 2023 and July 2023, we conducted a
hospital based descriptive, cross sectional study among
neonates being admitted to the neonatal unit at MRRH.
We consecutively enrolled all neonates at the time of
their admission. Parents of the neonates were
interviewed using a structured questionnaire to collect
social-demographic and clinical information. All the
neonates had a structured physical examination for BDs
by a paediatrician. Ultrasonography, cardiac
echocardiography, X-ray, Computerized Tomography
(CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were also
done when indicated. Data from questionnaire was
entered into REDCap, and exported to Stata 17 for
cleaning and analysis. Clinical characteristics were
described using means, frequency and proportions. We
summarized the prevalence and patterns of birth defects
using frequencies and percentages and performed a
univariable and multivariable modified Poisson
regression analysis to identify the factors associated with
birth defects.
Results.
We enrolled 412 neonates at admission at MRRH
with a mean age of 6.2 days. The prevalence of birth
defects was 25% (n=103). The musculoskeletal system
was the most affected (24.5%) followed by the Central
Nervous System (15.6%). Factors significantly associated
with birth defects were: maternal fertility medicine use
(aPR = 2.50; 95% CI=1.16-5.38; P=0.005) and both
paternal occupational risk exposure (aPR= 1.48; 95%
CI=1.04-2.10; P= 0.005) and alcohol intake (aPR=1.47;
95% CI = 1.04-2.09; P=0.005).
Conclusions
The prevalence of birth defects was high among
neonates at admission at MRRH. Maternal fertility
medication, paternal occupational risk exposures and
alcohol intake were significantly associated with birth
defects among the neonates. We recommend clinicians to
do routine comprehensive neonatal examinations at
admission to identify birth defects.
Keywords :
Birth Defects, Prevalence, Pattern, Associated Factors, Neonatal Admissions, MRRH Neonatal Unit.
Background.
Birth Defects (BDs) are among the leading causes of
infant mortality and morbidity globally. About 95%
deaths from birth defects occur in middle and low
income countries. However, there is still less
comprehensive data about BDs in low resource settings.
The prevalence and patterns of birth defects varies
across different geographical regions and this may be
reflective of variation in aetiological factors in different
geographical regions.
Study Objective.
We determined the prevalence, patterns and
associated factors of birth defects among neonates at
admission at Mbarara Regional Referral
Hospital(MRRH) in South Western Uganda.
Methods.
Between June 2023 and July 2023, we conducted a
hospital based descriptive, cross sectional study among
neonates being admitted to the neonatal unit at MRRH.
We consecutively enrolled all neonates at the time of
their admission. Parents of the neonates were
interviewed using a structured questionnaire to collect
social-demographic and clinical information. All the
neonates had a structured physical examination for BDs
by a paediatrician. Ultrasonography, cardiac
echocardiography, X-ray, Computerized Tomography
(CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were also
done when indicated. Data from questionnaire was
entered into REDCap, and exported to Stata 17 for
cleaning and analysis. Clinical characteristics were
described using means, frequency and proportions. We
summarized the prevalence and patterns of birth defects
using frequencies and percentages and performed a
univariable and multivariable modified Poisson
regression analysis to identify the factors associated with
birth defects.
Results.
We enrolled 412 neonates at admission at MRRH
with a mean age of 6.2 days. The prevalence of birth
defects was 25% (n=103). The musculoskeletal system
was the most affected (24.5%) followed by the Central
Nervous System (15.6%). Factors significantly associated
with birth defects were: maternal fertility medicine use
(aPR = 2.50; 95% CI=1.16-5.38; P=0.005) and both
paternal occupational risk exposure (aPR= 1.48; 95%
CI=1.04-2.10; P= 0.005) and alcohol intake (aPR=1.47;
95% CI = 1.04-2.09; P=0.005).
Conclusions
The prevalence of birth defects was high among
neonates at admission at MRRH. Maternal fertility
medication, paternal occupational risk exposures and
alcohol intake were significantly associated with birth
defects among the neonates. We recommend clinicians to
do routine comprehensive neonatal examinations at
admission to identify birth defects.
Keywords :
Birth Defects, Prevalence, Pattern, Associated Factors, Neonatal Admissions, MRRH Neonatal Unit.
