Maternal Age and Congenital Anomalies among Newborns in a Tertiary Health Facility in Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Background: Congenital anomalies occur due to structural or functional anomalies of the body that present at birth.

Aim and Objective: To determine the relationship between maternal age and congenital anomalies amongst newborns in a tertiary hospital in North Central Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was carried out at the neonatal unit of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital over a three-year period. Data was collected from the medical records of patients with congenital anomalies and analyzed using the Chi-square test (c2), significance level of 5%(p<0.05).

Results: A total of 843 neonates were admitted and 72 were documented to have congenital anomalies giving a prevalence of 8.5%. Of the 72,43(59.7%) were males while 29(40.3%) females. The newborns with birth weight above 2500 g, 50(69.4%) presented more with congenital anomalies. Greater percentages 67(93.1%) were term. The mean maternal age of the mothers was 26.5 years, 95% CI 25.3, 27.7. Fifty-two (72.2%) of the mothers attended Antenatal care. Most of the congenital anomalies occurred amongst the primiparous. The major systems involved were the Central Nervous System, Gastrointestinal Tract and Musculoskeletal System. Among the systems involved the Central Nervous System (CNS) had the highest prevalence of 3.3% and occurred in the maternal age group 25-29 years giving a prevalence rate of 1.3%. Myelomeningocele was the leading cause of CNS manifestation with a prevalence rate of 2.5%. Anorectal malformation was the commonest GIT disorder with a prevalence rate of 1.7% and Gastroschisis (MSS) with a prevalence of 0.9%.

Conclusion: Neonates from mothers above 25 years are not more at risk of developing congenital anomalies than mothers below 24 years. The major systems involved were the CNS, GIT and MSS.