External Structural Congenital Anomalies Diagnosed at Birth in Tamale Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: In the year 2013, about 276,000 of the 2.71 million neonatal deaths were directly attributable to congenital anomalies of which an estimated 95%, occurred in low and middle-income countries.
Materials and method: This study was part of surveillance on external structural congenital anomalies conducted in the Tamale teaching hospital from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2015. Aggregate data on maternal characteristics and outcome of delivery
were collected from the records in the antenatal clinics, labour and delivery room, and midwifery monthly returns.
Results: A total of 35,383 live births were recorded in the study. Overall, 161 external congenital anomalies were recorded over the period. The overall incidence of external congenital anomalies over the five-year period was 455 per 100,000 live births. The gastrointestinal (GIT) system accounted for (77) 47.8%, Central nervous system (65) 40.4%, Major musculoskeletal (9) 5.6%, Genitourinary system about (2) 1.2%, Multisystemic and syndromes accounted for (8) 5.0% of all external structural congenital anomalies. The incidence of specific congenital anomalies found during the study period were as follows; Spina bifida 104.6 per 100,000 live births, Exomphalus/omphalocele 84.8 per 100,000 live births and Anencephaly 5.7 per 100,000 live births. The incidence
of Oro-facial cleft, Hydrocephalus and Imperforate anus were 73.5, 48.0 and 39.6 per 100,000 live births respectively.
Conclusion: External structural congenital anomalies rate in the northern sector of Ghana is unacceptably high. Trend analysis has demonstrated the steady decline in neural tube defects.