Risk factors associated with anorectal malformations development: A case-control study

OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk factors for the development of anorectal malformations (ARM). METHODS: This case-control study was conducted in the Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH), Al Madinah Al Munnawarah, Saudi Arabia. The sample was taken from the ARM cases admitted at MCH between January 2013 and December 2017. The controls were selected from well-baby clinics in primary health care centers. Parents of the cases and the controls were interviewed based on a questionnaire. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate logistic regression were used in the analysis. RESULTS: The study included 48 cases and 96 controls with 31 (64.6%) cases of isolated ARM and 17 (35.4%) cases of associated ARM. Among the ARM cases, 27 (56.3%) were males and 21 (43.8%) were females. In multivariate analysis, we found consanguinity to be associated with an increased risk of developing ARM with odds ratio (OR): 2.43, 95% CI: 1.12-5, and p=0.025, in addition to maternal obesity, with OR: 4.36, 95% CI: 1.2-15.8, and p=0.025. CONCLUSION: Consanguinity and maternal obesity (body mass index >30) were found to be risk factors for ARM development.