Factors Related to Genetic Disorders and Congenital Anomalies in Nogab Village of South Khorasan Province

Congenital malformations are defects that are present at birth. The purpose of the present study was to determine the status of congenital malformations and their risk factors in Noghab village, South Khorasan Province.

In this case-control study, 152 cases with congenital anomalies and 152 controls were enrolled. A researcher-made checklist and face-to-face interviews were used to record patient data. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression in SPSS 22 were used for statistical analysis.

One hundred and nineteen (72.5%) patients were male. The overall prevalence of congenital abnormalities in the village was 4.5%. The most prevalent types of disorders were neurological (35.4%) and multiple abnormalities (30.5%). According to multivariate logistic regression, consuming barberries daily during pregnancy, having first-degree relatives with anomalies, daily use of herbal medicine and weekly consumption of pickled vegetables during pregnancy, and the existence of a chronic disease in the father were significantly associated with congenital disorders in the offspring.

In addition to the previously known risk factors for congenital malformation, consumption of barberries, herbal medicine and pickled vegetables during pregnancy, might be risk factors for congenital anomalies. These products should be used with caution in pregnant women.