Prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies and their outcome in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital anomalies represent defects in morphogenesis during early fetal life. The proportion of perinatal deaths due to congenital anomalies is increasing in developing countries like Nepal as a result of reduction of mortality due to other causes.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH). Data were collected from patients’ hospital files from 2013 to 2015 AD.

Result: A total of 33 patients who had congenital anomalies either diagnosed and referred from outside or diagnosed at TUTH were included. Various types of anomalies involving different body systems were identified during the prenatal period. But surgery was performed in only seven cases.

Conclusion: Due to widespread availability of ultrasound the number of patients with congenital anomalies who are being detected is on the rise. The proper management of these children in the intrauterine and neonatal period is a challenge in our context. Lack of proper policy and resources is a big hindrance to the proper management of these group of patients.