Prevalence and Pattern of Congenital Anomalies Detected in Antenatal Ultrasound: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Congenital anomalies are a significant cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low-and middleincome countries.Antenatal ultrasound is a vital tool for early detection, allowing for timely counseling and intervention.This study aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of congenital anomalies detected during routine second-trimester ultrasounds at a tertiary care center.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Radiodiagnosis Department at a tertiary hospital over a defined study period.All pregnant women between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation undergoing routine anomaly scans were included.Ultrasounds were performed using standard ISUOG guidelines.Anomalies were categorized by organ system, and data were analyzed descriptively.Results: Out of 2,000 antenatal scans, 82 fetuses were found to have congenital anomalies, yielding a prevalence of 4.1%.The most frequently involved systems were the central nervous system (31.7%),followed by the genitourinary system (20.7%), the musculoskeletal system (14.6%), and the gastrointestinal system (9.8%).Isolated anomalies were noted in 84.1% of cases, while 15.9% had multiple system involvement.Conclusion: Routine second-trimester ultrasound is an effective screening tool for detecting major congenital anomalies.Central nervous system defects remain the most prevalent.Early detection facilitates prenatal counseling, risk stratification, and multidisciplinary care planning to optimize perinatal outcomes.