Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system: prevalence in a fetal medicine service in the Brazilian Midwest

Abstract

Introduction: Approximately 21% of congenital anomalies (CA) involve the Central Nervous System (CNS), constituting one of the most common birth defects, affecting 1 to 10: 1,000 of live births. Objective: To analyze the prevalence of CNS anomalies diagnosed by obstetric ultrasound. Methods: Prospective longitudinal cohort study carried out in a public fetal medicine service in Goiânia with pregnant women who were attended in high-risk prenatal care. The patients were followed up during the ultrasound exams from March 2018 to March 2019. Results: 225 cases of pregnant women with ultrasound diagnoses of CA were surveyed during the investigated period. CNS anomalies were the most prevalent, being present in 34.22% (77/225) of the cases. The mean maternal age of pregnant women was 25.55 years and mean gestational age was 28.84 weeks. Hydrocephalus was identified in 23 pregnant women (29.87%), being the most prevalent CNS anomalie. Anencephaly was present in 24.68% (19/77) and holoprosencephaly in 18.18% (14/77). Other CA were also diagnosed (21/77), such as meningocele, spina bifida, acrania, among others. However, they showed a lower prevalence in relation to hydrocephalus, anencephaly and holoprosencephaly. Conclusion: The findings are essential for the planning and allocation of hospital resources and investment in health. Besides that, to adequate and specific prenatal care, is indispensable in the search for reducing the incidence of these malformations, morbidity and improving survival rates of the affected population.