Congenital Malformations in Newborns Hospitalized in the Neonatology Ward of the Hospital Nacional Mario Catarino Rivas, 2019

Abstract

Background: Congenital malformations have long been a public health problem affecting both society and families. Certain causes of congenital malformations have been identified, including environmental, Objective: genetic, and multifactorial factors. It is estimated that 10% are due to environmental causes, 25% to genetic causes, and 65% to multifactorial origins. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year, approximately 303,000 newborns die within the first weeks of life due to congenital malformations. To describe the clinical characteristics and maternal history of newborns with congenital malformations hospitalized in the neonatology ward of the Hospital Nacional "Mario Catarino Rivas" from January to December 2019. Patients and Methods: An observational, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted. A sample of 212 newborn patients with congenital malformations was analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used for the presentation of results, and data were processed using checklists in IBM SPSS software, version 25. Results: The average maternal age of newborns with congenital malformations was 25.3 ± 7.4 years, with a male predominance of 64.2%. The circulatory system had the highest number of congenital malformations (22.2%), with patent foramen ovale being the most frequent within this system (9.4%). Myelomeningocele was the most common congenital malformation overall (10.4%) Conclusion: The prevalence of congenital malformations was 4.3%, which is consistent with the range reported in international literature. The circulatory system showed the highest prevalence, with patent foramen ovale being the most frequent malformation in that system. Myelomeningocele was the most frequent congenital malformation in our population.