6901 Congenital malformation patterns in newborns: an insight from a tertiary care center in Sri Lanka

Objectives The recent research conducted at Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, sought to understand the patterns and unique characteristics of congenital malformations in newborns. The emphasis was on identifying the range and distribution of these malformations to improve neonatal care strategies. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional method was employed over a year, starting from August 2020 to August 2021, to gauge the prevalence and nature of congenital malformations in newborns at this tertiary care center. The study encompassed diverse settings within the hospital: the neonatal unit, labour rooms, obstetrics operation theatres, and post-natal wards. All neonates, whether born in the hospital or admitted within their first week post-birth, and displaying congenital malformations, were included. The data collection process was bifurcated: initially, a retrospective phase involved gleaning data from the pediatric department's existing clinical database on congenital malformations. This was complemented by a one-month prospective phase where data was collected through interviews, guided by a structured questionnaire, and corroborated with medical records. Results Out of the neonates diagnosed with congenital malformations, distinct patterns were observed. Neurological system malformations made up 13.7% of the cases, while facial malformations constituted a significant 30.1%. The circulatory system had 25.5% affected neonates, and the digestive system comprised 11.1%. Both the genital and urinary system malformations stood at 13.1%. However, the most prevalent were the musculo-skeletal system malformations, accounting for 35.9%. The respiratory system malformations were the rarest at 2%, and chromosomal abnormalities made up 9.8%. When analyzing the gender distribution among the diagnosed neonates, females made up 32.7%, males were at 66.7%, and a minor 0.6% had ambiguous genitalia. Of note, preterm deliveries made up 18.3% of the cases. Conclusion Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura's findings paint a varied picture of congenital malformations in neonates, with the musculo-skeletal system anomalies being the most dominant. Recognizing these patterns is crucial as it not only offers an understanding of the current landscape of congenital malformations in the region but also provides direction for refining neonatal care approaches and hospital management strategies. By understanding the distribution and nature of these malformations, healthcare providers can better prioritize interventions, resources, and training to address the most prevalent and severe cases effectively. References RM Kliegman. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 2021. MH Toufaily, MN Westgate, AE Lin, LB Holmes. Causes of congenital malformations- Birth Defects Res.2018;110(2).