Study design
This was a retrospective descriptive study of antenatal diagnosis of major congenital anomalies found in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, Fetal Medicine Unit, over 10 years period from January 2009 to December 2018. Ethical approval for the study obtained from the Scientific Research Committee at Royal Hospital.
Data were obtained from the following sources: a registry book for congenital anomalies in Ultrasound Unit, patient information obtained from computerized records at Royal Hospital, records from the labor ward and antenatal clinics. All patients with antenatal diagnosis of major congenital anomalies were included. Pregnancy outcomes included in the study were live births, Stillbirth (fetal loss at a gestational age of 22 weeks and older), Neonatal death (infant death up to 28 days of life). Perinatal mortality was recorded as fetal demise or neonatal death from 22 weeks of gestation to the 28th day of infant life. Major congenital anomalies were classified according to the system included (Nervous, Cardiothoracic, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, anterior abdominal wall defect, hydrops, orofacial, Tumors, Miscellaneous and others).
Data included demographics, ultrasound findings and other pertinent maternal and fetal information such as maternal age, maternal parity, and gestational age at diagnosis, history of consanguinity, coexistence of maternal factors and history of previous fetal anomalies. Antenatal prevalence of congenital anomalies was calculated from the total number of obstetric patients seen. All data were analyzed statistically using STATA software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX).