Evaluation of newborns with congenital anomalies

Evaluatıon Of Newborns Wıth Congenıtal Anomalıes Introduction and Aim: Congenital anomalies are a major global public health concern, causing significant morbidity and mortality during the neonatal period. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the epidemiological, prenatal, and postnatal characteristics of neonates with congenital anomalies followed between 2020 and 2024 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Çukurova University Balcalı Hospital, and to identify potential risk factors by comparing them with neonates hospitalized for other reasons during the same period. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, analytical, case-control study included 495 neonates with congenital anomalies and 250 control neonates without anomalies born during the same period. Parental age, consanguinity, education and socioeconomic status, pregnancy history, prenatal infections and drug exposures, delivery mode, gestational age and birth weight, gender, NICU length of stay, surgical needs, and mortality were comparatively analyzed. Results: The most common anomalies were cardiovascular (58,2 %), genitourinary (25,5 %), gastrointestinal (16,2 %), and central nervous system (12,3 %) anomalies. Multisystem involvement was present in 32,3 % of the cases. The consanguinity rate was significantly higher in the anomaly group (35,8 %) than in controls (19,2 %) (p<0.001). While maternal and paternal ages alone did not differ significantly, concurrent advanced parental age (mother ≥35 and father ≥40 years) was more common in the anomaly group (13,7 %) compared to controls (10 %) (p=0.028). Preterm birth was observed in 32,7 % of anomaly cases and increased to 43,1 % in those with multiple anomalies. The rate of low birth weight (<2,500 g) was 40,6 % in the multiple anomaly group (p<0.001). NICU stay was significantly longer in the anomaly group, with >30 days of hospitalization in 24,6 % of cases (p<0.001). Surgical intervention was required in 61,4 % of cases, predominantly due to gastrointestinal anomalies. The mortality rate was 39,4 % in the anomaly group and reached 50,6 % in those with multiple anomalies (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified consanguinity (OR: 2.18; p=0.002), low socioeconomic status (OR: 0.02; p<0.001), urban residence (OR: 0.48; p=0.006), and summer births compared to spring (OR: 0.36; p=0.002) as significant variables associated with congenital anomalies. Conclusion: Congenital anomalies remain a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Consanguineous marriage, socioeconomic disparities, and concurrent advanced maternal and paternal age are among the critical determinants. The findings provide guidance for regional health policy development and the implementation of preventive strategies for early diagnosis and management of congenital disorders. Keywords: Congenital anomaly, newborn, risk factors, consanguinity, advanced parental age, multiple malformation, intensive care, mortality