PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF CONGENITAL ANOMALIES AS SEEN IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN BENIN CITY

Background: Congenital anomalies are a major problem worldwide. They account for a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the burden and pattern of congenital malformation is pivotal in tracking the trajectory and enhancing the healthcare of newborns, particularly in low-income countries. Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of congenital anomalies seen in babies admitted into the special care baby unit of the University of Benin teaching hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Method: This was a hospital-based prospective study carried out on all the neonates admitted into the neonatal unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, from January 2018 to December 2021. Data was collected for this study from medical records using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with a statistical package for social sciences version 26.0. Results: A total of3755 babies were admitted into the neonatal unit during the study period. Two hundred and eighty-two of them had congenital anomalies (7.5%). Male to female ratio was 1.3:1. Most of the babies were term (82.0%). Among the congenital anomalies observed, those related to the digestive system were the most prevalent (43.0%),followed by anomalies of the central nervous system (23.0%). Conclusion: Congenital anomalies continue to pose significant challenges in low- and middle-income countries. Maintaining a high level of suspicion among healthcare professionals is crucial to enable prompt diagnosis and intervention, ensuring timely and effective medical support.