Universal Journal of Public Health 3(2): 89-96, 2015 http://www.hrpub.org DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2015.030206 Birth Prevalence of Overt Congenital Anomalies in Kano Metropolis: Overt Congenital Anomalies in the Kano Lofty-John Chukwuemeka Anyanwu 1,2,* , Barnabas Danborno 1 , Wilson O. Hamman 1 1 Department of Human Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria 2 Paediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Bayero University Kano, Nigeria Copyright © 2015 Horizon Research Publishing All rights reserved. Abstract Congenital anomalies are abnormalities of prenatal origin, and their prevalence varies worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and spectrum of overt congenital anomalies in live born neonates in selected hospitals in the Kano metropolis of North western Nigeria, as well as the associated maternal, paternal and neonatal risk factors. A descriptive study design was employed. All live born neonates in three major hospitals in Kano metropolis were prospectively studied from April 2013 to December 2013. Detailed family history and clinical data were recorded in a structured questionnaire for each child. A total of 1456 live born neonates were recruited into the study, of which 41 (28.15 per 1000 live births) had overt congenital malformations with 5 (12.20%) having multiple system involvement and 36 (87.80%) having a single system affectation. The most common system involved in neonates with isolated single system malformations were the central nervous system (10 cases) and the genitourinary system (10 cases). The consanguinity rate in the study was 17.83%. Birth weight of the neonates had a significant but negative association with the likelihood of being born with a congenital malformation [OR = 0.374; (95% CI 0.196 – 0.711) P = 0.003]. Given the high frequency of potentially preventable central nervous system malformations in this study, emphasis on the primary prevention of congenital malformations by encouraging periconceptional use of folic acid containing multivitamin supplements is recommended. Keywords Congenital malformation; Overt; Consanguinity; Periconceptional; Neonate 1. Introduction Congenital malformations also known as birth defects are structural or functional anomalies of prenatal origin which result from a defect or abnormality in the process of development [1-4]. The birth prevalence of congenital anomalies varies from country to country. It is believed that between 2-4% of live born infants and 15-20% of stillbirths have a significant birth defect [5,6,7]. Birth defects are an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality as it is estimated that one out of every 3 babies that die in the world has a congenital anomaly [7,8]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 260,000 deaths worldwide (i.e. 7% of all neonatal deaths) were caused by congenital anomalies in the year 2004 [9]. Apart from the direct impact on affected children and their families, congenital anomalies exert an enormous financial burden on a nation’s health, educational and social support services [2,10]. Congenital anomalies could be broadly classified into 2 major groups i.e. single system abnormalities affecting a single organ system or body part, and multiple abnormalities which affect more than one organ system or body part [1,2,11]. Major congenital anomalies are defined as those abnormalities that if uncorrected or uncorrectable will significantly impair normal body functions or reduce life expectancy, while minor anomalies are those that cause no handicap i.e. they cause no significant physical or functional effect and can be regarded as normal variants if they affect more than 4% of the population [1,5]. Recorded prevalence rates for congenital anomalies in developing countries are underestimated by deficiencies in diagnostic capabilities, lack of reliability of medical records and health statistics, and underreporting [10]. In response to this concern, this study was undertaken to establish the prevalence and spectrum of overt congenital malformations at birth in the Kano metropolis in Northwestern Nigeria. 2. Materials and Methods A study of 1456 consecutive live births at three major hospitals (Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, and Sheikh Jidda Specialist Hospital) in the Kano metropolis of northwestern Nigeria.