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Risk factors associated with congenital anomalies among newborns in southwestern Ethiopia: A case-control study
Soressa Abebe1, Girmai Gebru1, Demisew Amenu2
1Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Insights
Environmental factors like pesticide exposure, passive smoking, and using surface water for drinking significantly increase the risk of congenital anomalies in newborns. Folic acid supplementation may offer protection.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Congenital anomalies pose a significant health challenge, with risk factors often uncertain.
- Limited research exists on predisposing risk factors for congenital anomalies in southwestern Ethiopia.
- Maternal exposure to teratogens during early pregnancy can disrupt embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and determine the associated risk factors for congenital anomalies among newborns in southwestern Ethiopia.
- To provide crucial data for public health interventions and prevention strategies in the region.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted involving newborns and their mothers.
- Data collection occurred in six purposively selected hospitals in southwestern Ethiopia from May 2016 to May 2018.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, with a significance level set at P <0.01.
Main Results:
- Unidentified medicinal usage during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with a 3.435-fold increased risk (AOR = 3.435).
- Exposure to pesticides (AOR = 3.926), passive smoking (AOR = 4.104), and using surface water for drinking (AOR = 2.073) were significantly linked to congenital anomalies.
- Folic acid supplementation during early pregnancy showed a protective effect, with a reduced risk (AOR = 0.428).
Conclusions:
- Passive smoking, pesticide exposure, chemical exposure, and using surface water for drinking are significant risk factors for congenital anomalies.
- Health education initiatives are essential to inform the community about preventing and controlling these predisposing risk factors.
- Further research and continuous health information dissemination are needed to mitigate the incidence of congenital anomalies.
Introduction:
Human embryo is well protected in the uterus by the embryonic membrane, although teratogens may cause developmental disruptions after maternal exposure to them during early pregnancy. Most of the risk factors contributing to the development of congenital anomalies are uncertain; however, genetic factors, environmental factors and multifactorial inheritance are found to be risk factors. Regardless of their clinical importance, there are little/no studies conducted directly related to predisposing risk factors in southwestern Ethiopia.
Objective:
The study aimed to determine the associated risk factors with congenital anomalies among newborns in southwestern Ethiopia.
Methods:
Case-control study was conducted on newborns and their mothers in six purposively selected hospitals in southwestern Ethiopia from May 2016 to May 2018. Data was collected after evaluation of the neonates for the presence of congenital anomalies using the standard pretested checklist. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. P <0.01 was set as statistically significant.
Results:
Risk factors such as unidentified medicinal usage in the first three months of pregnancy (AOR = 3.435; 99% CI: 2.012-5.863), exposure to pesticide (AOR = 3.926; 99% CI: 1.266-12.176), passive smoking (AOR = 4.104; 99% CI: 1.892-8.901), surface water as sources of drinking (AOR = 2.073; 99% CI: 1.221-3.519), folic acid supplementation during the early pregnancy (AOR = 0.428; 99% CI: 0.247-0.740) were significantly associated with the congenital anomalies.
Conclusions:
In this study, risk factors such as passive smoking, exposure to pesticides, chemicals and use of surface water as a source of drinking during early pregnancy had a significant association with congenital anomalies. There is a need to continuously provide health information for the community on how to prevent and control predisposing risk factors.
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