Aetiology of Congenital Abnormalities in Nigeria.
Journal Title: IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) - Year 2018, Vol 17, Issue 5
Abstract
Background: Worldwide 94% of birth defects (i.e. 8.46 million infants) occur in the developing countries of the world to which Nigeria belongs. Tertiary centres-based studies showed that there must be variations in aetiological factors of birth defects in different regions of Nigeria. Objective: The objective of the study was to ascertain the aetiology of congenital abnormalities in Nigeria and identify any regional variation in the causative factors. Methodology: This was a mixed method study – systemic review and descriptive observational. 120 published works were reviewed and where any factor was blamed for birth defects, the prevailing situation was extrapolated to the present condition in Nigeria. The Nigerian national register of birth defects and national guidelines on its management were looked for. A qualitative review of the socioeconomic life, environmental pollution in Nigeria and telephone communication with consultants Obstetricians and Paediatricians on birth defects in different University Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria were carried out. Results: Nigeria has no nnational register of birth defects, no guideline on their management and also no record of causative factors of birth defects. The causes of birth defects in Nigeria are largely not known. The known causes are of genetic and non-genetic origin. Survival advantage of healthy carriers of the genes for sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency against the lethal effects of malaria and parental consanguineous marriage lead to an increase in the birth prevalence of those defects and other autosomal recessive conditions. Non-genetic causative factors of birth defects are neglect of environmental protection policies and therefore significant environmental pollution, advanced maternal age at delivery, low socioeconomic levels, non-affordability of proper antenatal care and prenatal diagnosis, poor maternal nutrition, maternal illness (diabetes mellitus and phenylketonuria), unregulated maternal exposure to recreational (alcohol) and therapeutic drugs (antiepileptic and warfarin) and maternal prenatal infection. Conclusion: The aetiology of birth defects in Nigeria is largely unknown but the known causes are either of genetic and/or non-genetic origin and intertwine with each other - gene–gene, gene–environment and gene– nutrient interactions.
Authors and Affiliations
M Abbey, OAO Oloyede, VK Oriji, CI Akani, J Ikimalo
Keywords
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- EP ID EP374392
- DOI 10.9790/0853-1705042841.
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