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PRETERM DETECTION OF CONGENITAL ANOMALIES BY ULTRASOUND AND CORRELATION WITH POSSIBLE ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS
Sahar Ahmed Mahdi1, Tara Farooq Kareem2, Dhuha Farooq Abdullah3
1DEPARTMENT OF RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES, AL-TURATH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, BAGHDAD, IRAQ.
Insights
Congenital anomalies affect 14 out of 1000 births in Iraq, with central nervous system defects being most common. Consanguinity is a significant risk factor, highlighting the need for early screening.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Public Health
- Genetics
Background:
- Congenital anomalies represent a significant global health concern.
- Understanding their prevalence and risk factors is crucial for effective public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of congenital anomalies in Iraq.
- To identify associated risk factors.
- To underscore the importance of prenatal ultrasound screening.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional study design.
- Data collected from three private ultrasound clinics in Baghdad over one year.
- Questionnaires administered to mothers of fetuses with abnormalities regarding risk factors.
Main Results:
- A prevalence of 14 per 1000 births was observed.
- Central nervous system anomalies were the most frequent.
- Consanguinity emerged as a primary risk factor, though some cases had no identifiable risks.
Conclusions:
- Congenital anomaly prevalence shows geographical and temporal variations in Iraq, generally increasing over time and higher in the south/middle regions.
- Factors such as ethnicity, socio-demographics, environmental pollution, and war residues may contribute.
- Prenatal ultrasound is a valuable, safe, cost-effective tool for screening, detection, and follow-up, especially for high-risk pregnancies.
Objective:
The aim: This descriptive, cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of congenital anomalies in the Iraqi population, the associated risk factors & to emphasize the importance of ultrasound examination during pregnancy especially in the high-risk group.
Patients And Methods:
Materials and methods: Data were collected from three private ultrasound clinics in different areas in Baghdad, where many pregnant women were examined over one year and those who had abnormal fetus were questioned about any possible risk factor.
Results:
Results: The study revealed a prevalence of (14/1000). The most common anomalies are those related to the central nervous system. Some of the patients had no risk factors, others had one or more, the most important of which was consanguinity.
Conclusion:
Conclusions: The prevalence of congenital anomaly had both geographical and temporal variations, but in general, it was increasing with time and became relatively higher in the middle and south of Iraq compared with the north. This may be related to differences in ethnic, social and demographic factors as well as environmental factors, like pollution and war residues. Ultrasound had a valuable role in screening, detection and follow-up of congenital anomalies. It is a safe, available and cost-effective examination that should be offered to every pregnant woman, especially those with high-risk pregnancies.
