Epidemiology of newborn congenital anomalies in Bojnourd 2005-2007

Background and Objectives : ‍Congenital anomalies are one of the most causes of neonatal mortality and are an important health problem all over the world. This study assested the incidence of congenital anomalies in newborns whom delivered in the maternity hospitals of Bojnourd. Materials and methods: In a retrospective study, all of the newborns delivered during 2 years( 2005-2007) in maternity hospitals in Bojnourd and examined by a pediatrician and their examinations reported in their ward files, were included. Newborns with major congenital anomalies were detected and their parent's demographic data, kind of anomaly, and other important health factors were collected in special questionnaire. Data were analyzed by spss software in descriptive and discriminate parts. Results: Out of 3768 newborn infants, (2.38%) had visible congenital anomalies. The most current anomaly was CNS anomalies(35.6%), muscular and skeletal anomalies (16.7%).There were no significant relations between the prevalence of malformations and the infant sex, weight, head circumference and month birth. Most of infants with abnormalities were born at first pregnancy (38.9%), in age classes 20-24 (34.4%) years old (p<0.005), housekeeper mothers (p<0.001). The parents of 57.8% abnormal infants were relative. Conclusion: Prevalence of Anomalies find in this research is approximately similar to other similar studies in other cities. Based on the importance of epidemiologic studies in future health programming, it seems that more prenatal care and increase in mother's knowledge about safe food and life style and teratogens during pregnancy must be in the long term health programs