Pattern of Congenital Malformations Among Newborns Delivered at Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, South East Nigeria

Congenital malformations are a significant cause of neonatal morbidity, mortality, and long-term disability worldwide. In Nigeria, data on congenital anomalies remain sparse, hindering policy development and clinical preparedness. This retrospective descriptive study examines the pattern, frequency, and associated risk factors of congenital malformations among newborns delivered at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, Imo State, South East Nigeria, over a five-year period from 2019 to 2023. Birth records and neonatal case files of 89 infants with documented congenital malformations were reviewed out of 4,216 total deliveries, giving a prevalence of 21.1 per 1,000 births. Cardiovascular anomalies were the most common (27.0%), followed by neural tube defects (19.1%), musculoskeletal deformities (16.9%), and gastrointestinal malformations (14.6%). Multiple congenital anomalies were identified in 12.4% of affected newborns. Associated maternal risk factors included advanced maternal age (above 35 years), unbooked antenatal status, history of first-trimester infections, and drug use during early pregnancy. Male infants were more commonly affected (56.2%). Perinatal mortality among affected neonates was 34.8%. The findings reinforce the need for comprehensive preconception care, periconceptional folic acid supplementation, and early antenatal anomaly screening as preventive strategies. Keywords: congenital malformations, neonates, Owerri, prevalence, South East Nigeria.