Índice de anomalias congênitas no estado do Maranhão no período de 2019 a 2023: um estudo epidemiológico

Abstract

Congenital anomalies, also called malformations, are among the main causes of infant mortality. They occur during fetal development, that is, during intrauterine life, especially at the beginning of pregnancy, and are characterized by functional and/or structural changes. These conditions can affect any part and system of the body of affected newborns, with varying degrees of severity. Furthermore, they are caused by genetic, environmental, multifactorial and, sometimes, unknown factors and can include syndromes and infections, for example. Given this reality and in order to identify patterns, associated risk factors, and necessary public policies, the following epidemiological study, using data collected from the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) and the Ministry of Health, assessed the prevalence of cases reported in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, from 2019 to 2023. The approach to these numbers verified obstetric and neonatal variables, color and race, in addition to the most frequent types of anomalies found in Maranhão. During the period studied, 523,179 births were verified in the state and 2,850 cases of congenital anomalies were diagnosed, with the highest rate corresponding to mothers with maternal age between 20 and 24 years (25.9%), single (53.4%), brown (74.1%), with gestational age between 37 and 41 weeks (68.6%) and who had cesarean delivery (66.1%). The most common malformation was in the musculoskeletal system, accounting for 30.6% of cases. Finally, the majority of affected newborns were male (55.5%), with an Apgar score between 8 and 10, and weighing 3kg or up to 3.999kg. Therefore, this descriptive time-series study, based on secondary data, observed the profile of mothers and children associated with the prevalence of these conditions and strategic and comprehensive nursing care for early identification, as a fundamental pillar for reducing prevalence as well as promoting necessary public policies in cases of congenital anomalies.