Predictors of congenital anomalies among newborns in Arsi zone public hospitals, Southeast Ethiopia: a case-control study

Abstract

Background Congenital anomaly is a partial or complete structural and/or functional defect during intrauterine life. Globally, major congenital anomalies account for 6% of all newborns among which about 94% of cases occurred in developing countries. In spite of its public health importance, very limited studies are reported in Ethiopia, and hardly any study in Arsi Zone. Objectives To determine the predictors of congenital anomalies among newborns in Arsi Zone Public Hospitals, Southeast Ethiopia. Methods A multi-center institutional-based case-control study was conducted in 418 (105 cases and 313 controls) of newborns in Arsi Zone Public Hospitals. Descriptive analysis, binary and multivariable logistic regressions were implemented. Results In this study, women who have been drinking alcohol during pregnancy were 3.48 times more prone to have newborns with congenital anomalies than their counterparts (AOR = 3.48; 95% CI: 1.38, 8.74). The likelihood of having a newborn with congenital anomalies was six and four times higher for women who had a maternal illness (AOR = 6.10; 95%CI: 2.39, 15.57) and chewing khat during pregnancy (AOR = 4; 95%CI: 1.49, 10.65), respectively. Moreover, the lack of folic acid supplementation and pesticides during pregnancy were 3.25 and 4.76 times more likely to experience a newborn with congenital anomalies, respectively. Conclusion Alcohol drinking, maternal illness, khat chewing, and chemical exposure during pregnancy had a significant association with the occurrence of congenital anomalies. While, taking folic acid supplements had a protective effect. Health experts and the community should take these factors into consideration and act accordingly.

Congenital Anomalies in Neonates Admitted to a Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

“…Several studies have shown that folic acid reduces occurrence of different forms of congenital anomalies including neural tube defects, orofacial clefts, limb reduction defects, congenital heart defects, as well as abdominal wall defects( 4 , 15 , 16 ). In our study as well, there was a significant association between congenital anomalies and lack of folate supplementation during pregnancy, similar to findings of other studies( 4 , 13 ). This is one of the signals indicating the need to improve the quality of ANC provided at health facilities in those pregnant mothers attending ANC.…”

“…Few studies done in Ethiopia have demonstrated that anomalies of the nervous system account for the large proportion( 10 – 14 ) followed by orofascial( 12 ), musculoskeletal( 11 , 12 ) and gastrointestinal( 10 ) anomalies. Factors associated with congenital anomalies in Ethiopia were exposure to pesticides( 11 , 13 ), consumption of khat( 11 , 13 ), alcohol intake( 13 ), maternal illnesses( 13 ) and lack of folic acid supplementation during current pregnancy( 13 ). The aims of this study are determining the magnitude and types of congenital anomalies and associated factors among neonates admitted to the neonatology ward.…”

Determinants of congenital anomalies in neonates admitted to public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia: A Case-Control study

“…Maternal khat chewing is an independent predictor of congenital anomalies [40 ].This is in line with the ndings of a case-control study conducted in Southeast Ethiopia [22,23]. In our study setting, khat chewing was the most common and popular social practice that most people, including pregnant women, participated in.…”

“…According to this study, maternal alcohol consumption during early pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of congenital anomalies [36]. Studies in China [37,38,39], California[36], and Ethiopia [8,22]. This could be because of the complex and wellordered nature of alcohol on developmental processes, which may disrupt fetal development by altering the stem-cell genome via an endogenous and alcohol-derived source of DNA damage, which promotes their degeneration, whereas incorrect repair of this damage results in malignancies.…”

“…Maternal folate de ciency increases the risk of having a baby with a neural tube [1,18]. Furthermore, various studies in LMICs, including Ethiopia, found that risk factors such as urban residency [19], insu cient antenatal care (ANC) [20,21], alcohol consumption [7,22,23], and Khat chewing during pregnancy were statistically associated with congenital anomalies [22,23]. In addition, a study conducted in Nigeria and Ethiopia discovered that low birth weight [24] and preterm birth were linked to congenital anomalies [13,25,26].…”