Background: Congenital anomalies are a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality in developing
countries including our country. Registries and data on these anomalies are still primitive and poorly
collated. In this study we aimed to assess the important demographic factors associated with the
development of congenital anomalies.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 880 infants in the 1st year of life
registered in the birth defect unit in Fallujah Maternity and Children Hospital in the period between 1st of
January 2017 to the 31st of December 2019. The prevalence rate, the pattern of anomalies and the factors
associated with their occurrence were determined.
Results: The prevalence rate of the group enrolled in this study was 31/1000 total births, congenital heart
defects was the commonest followed by central nervous system anomalies, 58% of the infants were males,
65% had ≥ 2.5 kg birth weight & 95% were singletons. Family history of congenital anomalies was found
in 31.25% of cases. The largest group of mothers (55.7%) were 21-30 years old & 92.5% of fathers were
less than 45 years old. Parental consanguinity reported in 64.3% of the total cases. Only 4.5% of mothers
reported history of fever during pregnancy, and none of them had history of exposure to x-ray or teratogenic
drug use. Gestational hypertension was reported in 10% of the total (880) mothers, hypertension and
diabetes mellitus in 0.3%, while hepatitis C, hepatitis B, toxoplasmosis and epilepsy, each was reported in
only one mother (0.1% of the total). Regarding the outcome of pregnancy, 66.6% were live births, 24.2%
were abortions and 9.2% were stillbirths. History of previous abortions was reported in 22% of cases. Urban
residents accounted for 63% of the families of congenitally abnormal infants while 37% were rural.
Conclusion: Congenital anomalies are still a major cause for concern and tension in Fallujah society, there
is serious need to establish a surveillance and good statistical system for congenital anomalies and efforts
should be made to raise awareness of their occurrence and the associated risk factors in Iraq and other
developing countries.
