Prevalence of Congenital Anomalies and Predictive Factors in Pregnant Women in Bahrain: A Retrospective Analysis

TL;DR

This study in Bahrain found that 1.1% of neonates had congenital anomalies, with several maternal and neonatal factors significantly associated.

Contribution

This is the first study in Bahrain to explore associations between congenital anomalies and risk factors.

Findings

The prevalence of congenital anomalies was 1.1% (11.2 per 1000 births).

40.1% of congenital anomalies affected multiple systems.

Factors like nationality, diabetes, and gestational age were significantly associated with congenital anomalies.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: In Bahrain, congenital anomalies (CAs) account for 8.1% of the total deaths in children under 5, indicating a need to understand the patterns, predictors, and prevalence to improve antenatal standards of care and reduce the burden of disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of CAs in Bahrain and investigate their association with measured neonatal and maternal risk factors. Method: In this five-year retrospective study, data from 31,615 neonates were analyzed, of which 354 had confirmed CAs. Stillbirths, abortions, and CAs discovered later in life were excluded from the study. Results: The prevalence of CAs was determined to be 1.1% (incidence of 11.2 per 1000 births), with 40.1% of the CAs affecting multiple systems. A statistically significant association was found between CAs and nationality, method of conception, gender, method of delivery, diabetes mellitus status, hypertension, and gestational age at birth. However, the association between CAs and multiple gestations was deemed statistically insignificant. Conclusions: As the first study exploring the associations between CAs and potential risk factors and outcomes in Bahrain, it provided a foundation for further exploration of the topic and insight into factors healthcare providers would target during preconception and antenatal care.

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