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).