Retrospective evaluation of congenital malformations detected in Afyon Kocatepe University Hospital between 2015-2018

Objective: This study aims to determine the types of congenital anomalies diagnosed during pregnancy and postpartum period at Afyon Kocatepe University Hospital and the factors related with these anomalies. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective review of 214 congenital anomalies that were diagnosed during prenatal and postpartum periods at the obstetrics and gynecology department of Afyon Kocatepe University Hospital between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018. A survey consisting of 32 questions was used for data collection. These questions were related to the sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric characteristics and clinical characteristics of the women who had pregnancies complicated with congenital anomalies. Results: The most frequently detected birth defects in this cohort were congenital cardiovascular anomalies (39,3%), central nervous system anomalies (33,6%), genitourinary system anomalies (14,1%), skeletal dysplasias (9,3%) and facial anomalies (3,7%) respectively. The most commonly diagnosed congenital cardiovascular anomalies in this cohort were atrial septal defect (17,8%), ventricular septal defect (14%), atrioventricular septal defect (5,1%) and Fallot tetralogy (2,3%) respectively. Down syndrome was diagnosed in 14 out of 84 fetuses with congenital cardiovascular anomalies (16,7%). Atrioventricular septal defect (57,1%), ventricular septal defect (28,6%) and Fallot tetralogy (14,3%) were respectively the most frequent congenital cardiovascular anomalies in fetuses with Down syndrome. Advanced maternal age, increased number of pregnancies and miscarriages, rural accommodation, low education level, unemployment, maternal and paternal blood groups, insufficient folic acid intake, drug use, smoking and exposure to radiation were identified as the factors that significantly increased the risk for congenital anomalies. Different types of congenital anomalies were found to be statistically similar with respect to weight, height, body mass index, social insurance, consanguinity, maternal chronic diseases and surgeries, Rh/Rh incompatibility, maternal and paternal hereditary diseases. The risks for cesarean delivery, preterm delivery and low birth weight were significantly increased in pregnancies complicated with congenital anomalies. Conclusion: In order to reduce the congenital anomaly risk to minimum, the women who are candidates for motherhood should be recommended to avoid delayed age of getting pregnant, consanguineous marriages, smoking, exposure to radiation and unnecessary and unprescribed drug use. Moreover, these women should maintain their folic acid supplementation. The pregnant women who have been diagnosed with congenital anomalies and who have decided to continue their pregnancies should be informed about the significantly increased risk for cesarean delivery, preterm delivery and low birth weight. Keywords: Malformation, Congenital Anomaly, Genetic Factors, Environmental Factors, Down Syndrome