Determinants of congenital anomalies among newborns in public hospitals of Northern Ethiopia: case-control study design

Congenital anomalies are structural or functional abnormalities that occur during intrauterine life and are major public health concern in low and middle income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the determinants of congenital anomalies among newborns in public hospitals of northern Ethiopia. Case-control study design was conducted among 384 (77 cases and 307 controls) newborns in randomly selected public hospitals of Tigray region from April 1/2024 to July 30/2024. Data were collected through interviewer-administered, pretested, and structured questionnaires. Variables with a p < 0.25 in bivariable analysis were included in the multivariable analysis with set at p < 0.05. Folic acid supplementation (AOR = 0.30, 95%CI: (0.12–0.69), low birth weight (AOR = 4.17, 95% CI: 1.66–10.45), presence of medical illness during pregnancy (AOR = 6.07, 95% CI: 2.58–14.29), poor food consumption score (AOR = 3.07, 95% CI: 1.11–8.42), lack of nutritional counseling (AOR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.50–7.04), inadequate additional food intake during pregnancy (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI:1.10–4.98) and alcohol consumption during pregnancy (AOR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.30–6.08) were significantly associated with increased odds of congenital anomalies. Folic acid supplementation, nutritional counselling, enhancing maternal nutrition, early screening, and management of maternal illnesses along with promoting healthy diets and discouraging alcohol use are essential to reduce congenital anomalies.