Major Factors Associated with Congenital Malformations in the Agadir Region of Morocco

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital malformations are a global health problem around the world. MCs is one of the main causes of death and disability of newborns worldwide, but the majority of its risk factors are still poorly understood.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the main causes that are related to the incidence of congenital malformations (CMs) in the region of Agadir in Morocco.

Material and Methods: A prospective cases-control study at regional level was conducted in the pediatrics and neonatology department of Hassan II hospital in Agadir from April 2016 to April 2018. Data on child and maternal variables were recorded for 3701 newborns. The types of congenital malformations  have been classified according to the codes of the International Classification of Diseases. Univariate analyzes were performed to identify the variables associated with the etiology of the malformations. Multiple logistic regression was used to characterize the associations between the MC and the determining explanatory variables taken into account simultaneously.

Results: The results of these studies showed that there is a significant association between the incidence of the Congenital anomalies and the level of the consanguinity of the child, the prematurity of childbirth, the family history of CMs, the body mass index of the mother and the presence of major trauma during pregnancy.

Conclusion: our results have made it possible to highlight the existence of an association between a certain number of risk factors and the occurrence of congenital malformations. Additional studies are needed to confirm and clarify the role of these risk factors.