Abstract:
Birth defects among children has become a significant public health problem and
epidemiological profile of such cases is imperative to make health interventions.
Objective:
The aim was to find out the epidemiological profile of infants with non-genetic, structural birth
defects (SBD) in Galle, Sri Lanka.
Methods:
A hospital-based, descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out. Infants with SBD which
were not found to have a genetic basis, aged up to six months residing in Galle were studied.
Data on SBD, confirmed by a paediatrician were gathered from the available medical records.
Results:
Three-hundred and fifteen (315) infants with SBD were studied. One hundred and seventynine
(57%) were male infants. Fifty-six (18%) were born preterm. Eighty-one (26%) infants
had SBD found in multiple systems. A total of 620 SBD was reported. The majority were
cardiovascular (CVS) defects (n=398, 64%) followed by the musculoskeletal defects (n=56,
9%, skeletal 41, muscular 15) and central nervous system (CNS) defects (n=52, 8.4%). Thirty six (6%) oral-facial clefts, 30 (5%) gastrointestinal defects and 22 (3.5%) urinary tract defects were reported. The most common SBD of the CVS was ostium secondum atrial septal defect (OS II ASD)
(n=219, 55%). Isolated ASDs were found among 84 infants while the rest were presented with
other CVS defects or extra cardiac defects. The second and third commonest CVS defects were
patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (n=79, 19.8%) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n=48,
12.1%) respectively.. The commonest CNS defect was congenital hydrocephalus (n=18,
34.6%) followed by spina bifida (n=11, 22.7%). There were three (n=3, 6%) encephaloceles
and one anencephaly (2%). Congenital talipes (n=23, 56%) was the commonest skeletal defect
reported while congenital defects of the diaphragm (n=11, 73%) were the commonest muscular
defects. Cleft hard and soft palate (n=13, 36%) with unilateral cleft-lip was the commonest
oral-facial cleft. Imperforate anus (n=11, 37%) and intestinal stenosis (n=10, 33%) were the
commonest gastrointestinal defects.
Conclusion:
Cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and central nervous system defects were the prevalent SBD
found in this sample. Health care delivery systems of Sri Lanka should prioritize and target
these conditions in prevention and management of birth defects