Etiological factors of congenital malformations in fetal stillbirth (in Spanish)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Congenital malformations are structural or functional defects produced in embryonic or fetal development, of diverse etiology, sometimes preventable, so correct prenatal diagnosis is essential to determine obstetric prognosis and future. OBJECTIVE. Determine the main causes of congenital malformations and the importance of prenatal diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A Retrospective case series study. Population: 276 fetal losses. Sample: 41 fetal deaths with malformations. Place: Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín, in the year 2017 to 2018, Inclusion criteria. Fetal losses less than 34 weeks, with fetal malformations identified by ultrasound, chromosomal and autopsy studies. The data were collected from the medical and nursing records and the AS400 system. The information was recorded in a data collection matrix, using Microsoft Excel. Descriptive variables were calculated with mean, median, mode. RESULTS. Maternal age was between 21 and 44 years. Hydrops fetalis was identified in 41.46% (17%; 41): 21.95% (9%; 41) presented major malformations, 4 of them had abnormal karyotype; 19.51% (8%; 41) did not present other malformations, 4 of them had an abnormal karyotype. Structural heart disease was present in 29.2%, 14.63% were accompanied by hydrops. CONCLUSIONS. The etiological factor for congenital malformations was not identified in most of the cases; maternal age ≥35 years could be related to chromosomal malformations. Prenatal diagnosis helps determine the obstetric future and provide psychological support to the mother.