Comparison between the incidence of congenital abnormalities amongst newborns in Gaza strip one year before the 2008-2009 war on Gaza and one year after the 2008-2009 war on Gaza

Aim: we sought to compare the incidence of congenital abnormalities among newborns in gaza between 2008 and 2009,aiming to establish whether the war in gaza increased the danders of congenital abnormalities. method: this is a retrospective study which is based on a data kept in the archives of the neonatal intensive care unit (nicu) and gynecology department at shifa hospital in gaza. live newborns,who admitted to the nicu admissions with congenital abnormalities,are included in the study. results: in 2008 there were 14,722 deliveries,1,080 of them were admitted to nicu. among them there were 113 newborns with congenital abnormalities 1%. in 2009 there were 15,717 deliveries,1,218 nicu admissions,and 157 with congenital abnormalities. while the number of births has increased 7% in 2009,the number of admissions to nicu has increased 12% and the number of congenital abnormalities amongst newborns admitted in nicu has increased by 39%. the incidents of congenital abnormalities admitted to nicu amongst live newborns have increased by 30% (95% ci=1,02 to 1,66,p =0,03). conclusions: congenital abnormalities in gaza have significantly increased in 2009. the underlying cause is unknown but it may be due to the war on gaza or other many factors. it would need further studies. © 2015 dar publishers. the university of jordan. all rights reserved.