Birth Defects Among Children Enrolled in Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram in Bihar

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Surgical Congenital Anomalies

Background:

• Congenital anomalies pose a significant global health burden, particularly in resource-limited settings.
• Early identification and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in affected children.
• The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) aims to provide comprehensive health screening and management for children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and patterns of surgically correctable congenital anomalies in children.
• To analyze the types of anomalies identified within a specific healthcare program.
• To provide data for targeted interventions and resource allocation.

Main Methods:

• A hospital record-based retrospective study was conducted.
• Data were collected from July 2019 to June 2024.
• Beneficiaries of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) at a tertiary care center in Bihar were included.

Main Results:

• A total of 1678 children were analyzed.
• Neural tube defects were the most prevalent anomaly (n=292).
• Cleft lip and palate (n=220) and congenital cataract (n=208) were the next most common conditions.

Conclusions:

• Neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate, and congenital cataracts are significant public health concerns requiring attention.
• The findings highlight the importance of screening programs like RBSK in identifying these conditions.
• Further research and targeted interventions are needed to address the burden of these anomalies.