TITLE:
Epidemiological, Clinical, Therapeutic, and Evolutionary Aspects of Congenital Malformations in the Pediatric Department of the Bouaké University Hospital (Côte d’Ivoire) from 2017 to 2019
AUTHORS:
Christelle Honorine Rohon Avi-Siallou, Koko Martine Aude-Hélène Aka-Tanoh, Ehi Alexise Eleonore Amani, Iburaima Alamun Akanji, Leioh Romeo Adou, Gnantin Josette Landryse Sahi, Kouassi Christian Yao, Yao Kossonou Roland Yeboua, John Patrick Yenan, Kouadio Vincent Asse
KEYWORDS:
Newborn, Congenital Malformations, Epidemiology, Etiologies, Côte d’Ivoire
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.15 No.6,
November
5,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Congenital malformations (CM) are serious and pose a diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic problem for the paediatrician. Despite their seriousness, data on them are rare at the University Hospital of Bouaké. The objective of the study was to assess the situation of CM in the paediatric department of the University Hospital of Bouaké. Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study conducted from January 2017 to December 2019 in the neonatology department of the University Hospital of Bouaké. It focused on malformed newborns diagnosed on the basis of clinical and/or paraclinical criteria. The variables studied were sociodemographic and diagnostic. The analysis of the data was descriptive. Results: A total of 5966 admissions including 100 MC (50 boys, 50 girls), i.e. a prevalence of 1.7%. The mothers were housewives (69%), with primary education (51%). Their median age was 29 years. Prenatal check-ups were performed in 25%. The mothers received folic acid in 25%. The main maternal pathology during pregnancy was malaria (8%). Traditional medication (23%), consanguinity (3%), previous malformations (3%) were found in the mothers. Malformation was the main reason for referral (89%). In 57% of cases, the newborn was seen on day 0 of life. Isolated CMs were found in 86.6% of cases. The main CMs were club feet (22.0%), omphalocele (15.0%), spina bifida (10.0%) and cleft lip and palate (9.0%). Medical treatment was dominated by eye care (94%), umbilical care (93%), and vitamin K1 administration (81%). Surgical care was mainly Ponsety’s method (20%), tanning (6%), and colostomy (6%). Lethality was 10%. Conclusion: CM is frequent in Bouake, with multifactorial causes and a high case fatality rate. For prevention, we recommend that pregnant women carry out prenatal consultations correctly and follow the advice of health professionals.