Prevalence of selected congenital anomalies in Saudi children: a community-based study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Limited data are available on the prevalence of congenital anomalies based on a community survey in Middle East countries. The prevalence of congenital anomalies is expected to be high in these countries because of the high consanguinity rate and high maternal age. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to establish the prevalence of congenital anomalies in Saudi Arab children. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, community-based study conducted over 2 years among the Saudi population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study sample was determined by a multi-stage probability random sampling of household representatives of the Saudi Arab population. The health status of children was obtained during household visits by primary care physicians who performed a history and physical examination of all children and adolescents younger than 19 years. All cases of congenital anomalies were recorded. RESULTS: During the 2-year study period (2004–2005), a total of 45 682 children were screened. The commonest congenital anomalies found in this survey were Down syndrome, congenital deafness, and congenital blindness with prevalence rates of 6.6 per 10 000, 4.8 per 10 000, and 1.3 per 10 000 children, respectively. The prevalence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate was 0.9 per 10 000 children, achondroplasia was 0.7 per 10 000, and Dandy-Walker syndrome was 0.4 per 10 000. Crouzon syndrome, Treacher-Collins syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and Turner syndrome had equal prevalence of 0.2 per 10 000 children. CONCLUSION: The data suggest a significant decline in the prevalence of Down syndrome; however, the prevalence of other anomalies like congenital deafness is still high.