title: Prevalence and pattern of congenital malformations among neonates in the neonatal unit of a teaching hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and pattern of congenital malformations among neonates in a teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prospective hospital-based study was conducted over a period of 18 months in the neonatal unit of Combined Military Hospital, Kharian, from September 2011 to February 2013. All neonates from newborn to 28 days of age admitted to the unit irrespective of their condition comprised the study population. Neonatal examination was done by the Registrar at the time of admission followed by neonatologist/paediatrician. Information regarding gender, weight, gestational age, mode of delivery, consanguinity, maternal age, antenatal visit record and family history were recorded on a predesigned proforma. After clinical examination, if required, relevant investigations like ultrasonography, radiology, echocardiography, laboratory and genetic studies were done to confirm diagnosis. Data was statistically analysed by using SPSS 20.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 3,210 total admissions, 226 (7%) neonates were congenitally malformed. Of them, 130 (57.52%) were male and 96 (42.47%) females. Among different body systems affected, anomalies related to the central nervous system were 46 (20.35%) musculoskeletal 42 (18.58%), genitourinary 34 (15.04%), cardiovascular system 30 (13.27%), ear, eye, face, neck 27 (11.94%), digestive system 19 (8.40%), syndromes and skin 14 (6.19%) each.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Congenital Malformations are not rare in our community and central nervous system is the most commonly affected system. Healthcare managers must stress upon primary prevention in the form of vaccination, nutrition and drugs to decrease preventable share of congenital malformations.
authors.forename: Shabbir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Asghar
authors.forename: Moin-ud-Din
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Sabir
authors.forename: Mazhar Nazir
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Chattha
authors.forename: Saba Haider
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Tarar
authors.forename: Rabia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mushtaq
mesh_terms: D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors