Prevalence and associated risk factors of congenital anomalies at a tertiary care hospital

Aim: to determine the prevalence of various congenital anomalies in the neonates born at mardan medical complex,mardan and to determine their associated risk factors. methodology: this descriptive cross sectional study was done on all the congenitally anomalous babies who were born between 1st may 2016 and 30th april 2017 at mardan medical complex.meticulous history about the anomaly and possible risk factors was taken from the mother and recorded in predesigned proforma. results: out of 9453 deliveries,117(1.23%) neonates had congenital anomalies.hydrocephalus(27.3%),anencephaly(18%),meningomyelocele(11%) and encephalocele(9.4%) were the most common anomalies.mean maternal age was 25.59±7.6 years.66(56.4%) mothers were in age range of 21-30 years and 66(56.4%) were multigravidas.consanguinity was positive in 72(61.5%) and there waslack of folic acid intake in 83(71%) cases.33(28.2%) received antenatal care whereas 84(71.8%) were deprived of it.weight of babies in 68(58%) cases was 1-2.5kg. conclusion: consanguinous marriages and lack of folic acid are the topmost risk factors.women and families should be awardedregarding the intake of folic acid and avoidance of consanguineous marriages.