Risk factors associated with congenital anomalies in newborns: a case-control study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of congenital anomalies and associated risk factors among newborns at the Women’s Hospital.

Methods: In this prospective case-control study, conducted during the period from 2017 to 2019, a “case” was defined as a newborn presenting structural or functional anomalies identified in the seventeenth chapter of ICD-10, entitled “Congenital malformations, deformities and chromosomal anomalies”. On the other hand, a newborn who had no congenital anomaly was considered a “control”. Individualized case-control matching was performed, taking into account the sex of the neonates (1:1 ratio). Information on risk factors was collected from clinical records and statements provided by the mothers. To assess the association between these factors and congenital anomalies, odds ratios were calculated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: 2.3% (2.1 - 2.2) of the newborns had congenital anomalies, most of which involved the nervous system (n = 18), followed by facial malformations (n = 15), and mouth, lip and palate malformations (n = 13). Significant risk factors included maternal age over 35 years (OR = 1.6; 95%CI = 1 - 3.01), exposure to teratogens (OR = 2.31; 95%CI = 1.15 - 4.15), and maternal occupation related to agriculture (OR = 4.18; 95%CI = 1.14 - 15.23).

Conclusions: The findings underscore the intricate and multifactorial nature of congenital anomalies. This study argues for intensified epidemiological surveillance of congenital anomalies and underscores the need for further research, especially regarding pesticide exposure in farming mothers, being vital given the prevalence of agricultural occupations in Bolivia.