Congenital Anomalies at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State: A Three-year Review

Aim: To describe the pattern of congenital anomalies as seen in Makurdi, Benue State.

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Special Care Baby Unit(SCBU) of Benue State University Teaching Hospital from June 2013 to July 2016.

Methodology: This was data analysis through data review of three years from the past records. Data on an antenatal visit, maternal age and parity of mother, sex, gestational age, weight on admission, age at admission, a birth position of the baby, type of congenital anomaly, and outcome were extracted.

Results: A total of eight hundred and forty-three babies were admitted into the SCBU of the hospital over a three-year period from June 2013 to July 2016. Seventy-two of them were found with congenital anomalies giving a prevalence rate of 8.5%.43 (59.7%) were males, and 29(40.3%) were females.22(30.6%) of the babies had a birth weight <2500g while 50(69.4%) had a birth weight >2500g.The mean birth weight in (kg) was 2.73 SD 0.67, 95% CI (2.57, 2.88). Sixty-seven (93.0%) of the babies were delivered at a gestational age between 37-40 weeks. 52 (72.2%) mothers attended ANC while 20 (27.8%) of them did not.The most affected systems were the central nervous system(CNS)28(38.9%),musculoskeletal system (MSS) 21(29.2%), gastrointestinal tract (GIT) 21(29.2%),genitourinary system(GUS)5(6.9%) and cardiovascular system(CVS)2(2. 8%).The highest occurring anomaly among the top three systems was, myelomeningocele 21 (29.7%) for CNS, anorectal malformation 14 (19.4) for GIT and gastroschisis 8 (11.1%) for MSS. The outcome showed that 39 (54.2%) of the cases were discharged, 6 (8.3%) were referred, 12 (16.7%) discharged against medical advice, and 15 (20.8%) died.

Conclusion: The study showed that CNS anomalies were the most common congenital malformations noted in the study. Therefore, adequate antenatal care and fortification of staple foods are advocated.