Trends in selected birth defects among parents from below poverty line population in Karnataka during 2010-2020

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Neonatal Medicine
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

Background:

• Birth defects pose a significant global health challenge, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
• Socioeconomic status is a known determinant of maternal and child health outcomes.
• Limited data exists on the prevalence and types of birth defects in below poverty line (BPL) communities in South India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and quantify common birth defects in newborns from BPL families in Karnataka, India.
• To explore potential associations between parental age, infant sex, and specific birth defects.
• To investigate the role of socioeconomic factors in neonatal outcomes within this population.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 10-year birth defect data from 3672 newborns in BPL families, sourced from the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust.
• Statistical examination of defect prevalence, including anorectal malformations, hypospadias, and hernias.
• Correlation analysis between parental age, infant sex, and types of birth defects.

Main Results:

• Anorectal malformations (50.3%) and hypospadias (33.1%) were the most prevalent birth defects.
• Increased parental age correlated with higher risks of birth defects, especially anorectal malformations.
• Male newborns exhibited a higher incidence of birth defects compared to females.

Conclusions:

• Poverty and low socioeconomic status are hypothesized contributors to poor maternal healthcare, leading to increased birth defect rates in BPL families.
• Targeted interventions and improved healthcare access are crucial for mitigating birth defect risks in disadvantaged communities.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the causal pathways linking socioeconomic factors to specific neonatal abnormalities.