Abstract:

Congenital malformations are rare disorders, but the prevalence is on the increase globally due to access to imaging modalities, particularly ultrasound. Severe congenital abnormalities are not compatible with life leading to miscarriages while others cause fetal, neonatal, infant, and under-five morbidity and mortality. Ultrasonography provides a safe tool for the early diagnosis of congenital abnormalities in pregnancy.

This study used a quantitative cross-sectional approach to determine the factors associated with fetal congenital abnormalities in 11 pregnant women diagnosed by ultrasound between January and June 2019 in a private diagnostic center in Bauchi, North-East Nigeria. The primary data was collected using interview schedule and analyzed with statistical package for social sciences.

The most common anomaly (33%) was central nervous system abnormality (hydrocephalus - 75% and anencephaly - 25%). The congenital abnormalities were associated with fever in first trimester (100%), poverty (82%), being a housewife (82%), multigravida (73%), illiteracy (73%), 18-27 age group (55%), and ingestion of herbs in the first trimester (54%).  Hydrocephalus was associated with ingestion of drugs and herbs in first trimester and maternal occupation; anencephaly with maternal occupation, spouse occupation, and poverty; fetal ascites with advanced maternal age >38 years and grand-multiparity; and multicystic dysplastic kidney disease with spouse occupation (p .05).

Health education, avoidance of drugs and herbs in first trimester, access to healthcare, family planning, and poverty alleviation will prevent congenital abnormalities, reduce feto-maternal morbidity and mortality, and improve maternal and child health in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Keyword: Congenital Abnormalities, Factors, Pregnancy, Ultrasound, Nigeria.

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