Incidence and Determinants of Birth Defects and Enzyme Defciencies among Live Births in Oman A review of the 2005 National Register
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2010, Vol 10, Issue 1
Abstract
In 2003, the Omani Ministry of Health Child Health Care Program initiated a national Birth Defects (BD) Register. Tis paper reviews the magnitude and risk factors of birth defects in children born and registered in 2005 using data from the BD Register. Methods: Pediatricians and neonatologists examined children with BDs found either during screening at birth or when attending clinics in their frst year of their life. Clinical examination, laboratory, sonographic and radiological investigations were carried out. A pre-tested form was used to note personal details, type of birth defect including International Classifcation of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes of BD and selected risk factors. Te incidence rates per 100 live births were calculated. Results: Te annual incidence of BD in Oman was 2.53% (95% CI 2.38–2.68). Males had a signifcantly higher risk of BD than females (relative risk (RR) = 2.0). Te regional variation of BD was also signifcant (χ 2 = 363). Te incidence of anaemia due to enzyme disorders was 1.4%. BD of urogenital organs, hands and feet and Down’s syndrome were the main types of anatomical defects. Consanguinity among parents (RR = 0.85) and low birth weight (RR = 0.28) was negatively associated to birth defects. Mothers giving birth at gestational age of <37 weeks (RR = 1.89) had a higher risk of having children with BD. Maternal and paternal age were not associated to BD. Conclusion: Te national Register for BD is an important evaluation tool. Both genetic and acquired risk factors seem to affect BD rates and types in Oman.
Authors and Affiliations
Rajiv Khandekar| Eye & Ear Health Care, Department of Non-communicable Diseases Control, Directorate General of Health Affairs, Ministry of Health, Oman, Yasmin Jaffer| Department of Maternal & Child Health Care, Ministry of Health, Oman
Keywords
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