Abstract:

Background: Congenital anomalies has emerged as an area of public health concern to maternal health and child development, yet salient issue worldwide. Congenital anomalies or birth defects are among the leading causes of infant mortality and morbidity around the world. This study aimed to determine the geospatial distribution, patterns and associated factors of congenital anomalies among children age below two years admitted at Bugando Medical Centre in Northern Tanzania.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study among 326 inpatient children under the age of two years with congenital anomalies admitted at a tertiary hospital in northern Tanzania.

Results: Majority (78.8%) of the participants had less than six months. Their Median age was 8(IQR: 3-20) months. Nearly half (48.8%) of the participants were diagnosed with congenital heart diseases followed by CNS hydrocephalus (10.4%) and diagnosed with congenital malformation of muscles (8.9%). Moreover, participants who didn’t use folic acid had 83% higher prevalence of CNS hydrocephalus (aPR=1.83, 95%CI=1.11-1.96) and congenital heart diseases (aPR=1.78, 95%CI=1.31-1.94) as compared to those who used folic acid., male participants had 67% higher odds of congenital malformations of muscles (aOR=1.67, 95%CI=1.23-1.89) as compared to female participants. Participants below 37 gestation age had 86% higher odds of congenital malformations of muscles (aOR=1.86, 95% CI=1.53-3.66) as compared to their reference group with 37 and above gestation age.

Conclusion: Congenital anomalies in the Lake Zone of Northern Tanzania is silent neglected Public Health issue affecting maternal and child health status. Hotspots and patterns of congenital anomalies exists in the region indicating inequalities in health and calls for specific targeted health promotion based on prevailing risk factors.