To Identify the Prevalence of Live Births with Congenital Malformations in a Public Maternity in the Mountain Region of the State of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Background: According to the World Health Organization, congenital anomaly or congenital defects, congenital diseases or congenital malformations is defined as any functional or structural anomaly in the development of the fetus, due to socioeconomic factors, genetic factors, infections caused by nutritional, maternal and Environmental impacts. About 2 to 5% of newborns in Brazil and around the world have some type of congenital anomaly, which can be classified as major or minor.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of congenital malformations in neonates in a public maternity.

Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study involving all births occurred in the public maternity of the Alcides Carneiro Petrópolis-RJ-Brazil Teaching Hospital, from January 2 to June 6, 2016. Data were obtained from the charts of the newborns and their mothers, upon the birth of the newborn.

Results: A total of 900 neonates were studied in the study period, with a prevalence of congenital anomalies in 33 newborns, or 3.8%, classified in the majority of cases in isolation, and of less clinical importance, and it was not necessary to transfer them to the care unit Intensive. There was a prevalence in the group with male malformations 66.7%, female 33.3%. In relation to gestational age, there was a prevalence of congenital anomalies among children between 34 and 36 weeks of age in relation to the group of full-term newborns (p <0.05). Although not statistically significant, the birth weight in the group of congenital anomalies was 3045 ± 538g versus 3219 ± 870g (p=0.07).

Conclusion: The prevalence of congenital anomalies in our study is in line with findings in the literature and has been more prevalent in a group of preterm infants. Knowing the prevalence of congenital anomalies can serve as an instrument for health planning, ensuring access and quality of care for women and newborns.