# Epidemiology of congenital malformations in Tunisian liveborns: a retrospective study

## TL;DR

This study examines the types and risk factors of congenital malformations in liveborns in Tunisia, highlighting the need for better prenatal care and a national registry.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed epidemiological profile of congenital malformations in a specific Tunisian population and identifies key risk factors.

## Key findings

- Polymalformations were the most common type of congenital malformations in the studied population.
- Significant differences in maternal and infant characteristics were found across malformation subtypes.
- The study suggests the importance of prenatal surveillance and folic acid supplementation to reduce malformations.

## Abstract

To identify the various congenital malformations in liveborns in the neonatology service within the center of maternity and neonatology of Tunis (CMNT).

This is a retrospective study of liveborns with congenital malformations hospitalized during one year from 1rst January to 31 December 2016.

The profile of malformations was dominated by polymalformations (22.29%), followed by chromosomal aberrations (21.14%), cardiovascular malformations (16.00%), and system nervous malformations (11.43%).

Comparisons of liveborns and parental characteristics between all congenital malformations subtypes have shown significant differences in liveborns sex, consanguinity, and maternal age. Comparisons between malformed newborns and malformed fetuses have shown significant differences in consanguinity, rhesus type, maternal origin and parity.

It seems important to set a careful surveillance of pregnancies at risk of developing congenital anomalies, systematic supplementation of vitamins and folic acid, and a national registry of congenital malformations.