Congenital defects in the newborn--difficulties in prenatal diagnosis

The aim of this work is an analysis of developmental defects in newborn infants, born in the Clinical Department of Pregnancy Pathology and Reproduction in Zabrze, during the 19 months of its existence. Difficulties in prenatal diagnosis of developmental defects are presented and their structure is discussed. The study included 1524 live born infants with birth weight over 500 g and 12 stillborn. In the live born group developmental defects were found in 71 (4.6%) infants. Among the 12 stillborn infants developmental defects were present in one child (8.3%). The most common developmental defects, in our material, were those of the skeletal system and heart defects. Prenatally, developmental defects were diagnosed in 8% of the examined foetuses. The quality of health care in pregnant mothers of the investigated newborn infants was assessed, with relation to medical examination, ultrasonographic scan and biochemical screening tests. In many cases, modern standards of management were not maintained.