AbstractBackground: Congenital Anomalies are one of the leading causes of paediatric mortality in developed & developing countries. Based on World Health Organization 3 million fetuses and infants are born each year with congenital anomalies. In India it is 6-7% which translates to around 1.7 million birth defects annually. This study was undertaken to present the spectrum of multiple congenital anomalies in fetus and neonates. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective based observational study done from March 2018 to March 2019. The data for the study was collected from a maternity hospital in Hyderabad. Autopsy was performed on dead fetuses and neonates with birth defects by a standard technique adopted by Edith L. Potter and was documented. Results: Of the total of 2043 pregnancies, 47 cases had multiple congenital anomalies with a prevalence of 2.3%. Of which 41 were fetal cases (87.23%) and 6 were neonatal cases (12.76%). Increase incidence of birth defects were noted in consanguinity, young primiparous and low socioeconomic group. Malformations of central nervous system (23.91%) was the commonest. Conclusions: Anomalous child has negative impact on mental status of the whole family. The outcome of our study is to initiate a national programme which focuses on prevention, care and surveillance for children born with birth defects.
Keywords: Congenital Anomalies; Birth defects; Fetus; Neonates.