Incidence and Determinants of Birth Defects and Enzyme Deficiencies Among Live Births in Oman: A Review of the 2005 National Register

Overview

Journal Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2011 Apr 22

PMID 21509078

Citations 3

Authors

Rajiv Khandekar

Yasmin Jaffer

Affiliations

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Abstract

Objectives: In 2003, the Omani Ministry of Health Child Health Care Program initiated a national Birth Defects (BD) Register. This paper reviews the magnitude and risk factors of birth defects in children born and registered in 2005 using data from the BD Register.

Methods: Pediatricians and neonatologists examined children with BDs found either during screening at birth or when attending clinics in their first year of their life. Clinical examination, laboratory, sonographic and radiological investigations were carried out. A pre-tested form was used to note personal details, type of birth defect including International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes of BD and selected risk factors. The incidence rates per 100 live births were calculated.

Results: The annual incidence of BD in Oman was 2.53% (95% CI 2.38-2.68). Males had a significantly higher risk of BD than females (relative risk (RR) = 2.0). The regional variation of BD was also significant (χ2 = 363). The incidence of anaemia due to enzyme disorders was 1.4%. BD of urogenital organs, hands and feet and Down's syndrome were the main types of anatomical defects. Consanguinity among parents (RR = 0.85) and low birth weight (RR = 0.28) was negatively associated to birth defects. Mothers giving birth at gestational age of <37 weeks (RR = 1.89) had a higher risk of having children with BD. Maternal and paternal age were not associated to BD.

Conclusion: The national Register for BD is an important evaluation tool. Both genetic and acquired risk factors seem to affect BD rates and types in Oman.

Citing Articles

Magnitude and Causes of Low Vision Disability (Moderate and Severe Visual Impairment) among Students of Al-Noor Institute for the Blind in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia: A case series.

Al-Wadani F, Khandekar R, Al-Hussain M, Alkhawaja A, Khan M, Alsulaiman R Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2012; 12(1):62-8.

PMID: 22375260 PMC: 3286719. DOI: 10.12816/0003089.

Risk factors and birth prevalence of birth defects and inborn errors of metabolism in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

Al Bu Ali W, Balaha M, Al Moghannum M, Hashim I Pan Afr Med J. 2011; 8:14.

PMID: 22121423 PMC: 3201581. DOI: 10.4314/pamj.v8i1.71064.

Ocular status and functional adaptation of visually challenged children of a special school in Oman.

Khandekar R, Shah R, Shah M, Al Harby S, Vora U, Al Balushi F Oman J Ophthalmol. 2011; 4(1):17-20.

PMID: 21713235 PMC: 3110441. DOI: 10.4103/0974-620X.77657.

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