'Defects registry can reduce abnormalities '

THANE: Nearly 2 per cent of the babies born in Thane had physical or mental abnormalities due to congenital problems, between 2006 and 2009. This diagnosis of birth defects was conducted by a Chennai-based medical NGO, with the help of data provided by four privately-managed maternity hospitals in the city.According to a scientific diagnosis of birth defects conducted by a Chennai-based medical NGO on the basis of data provided by four privately-managed maternity hospitals here.
Of the 12,300 babies delivered in the three-year period at the four major hospitals, 146 children were diagnosed with deformities of the brain, limbs, abdomen or cardiac-related issues.The sample study may have raised concerns in medical fraternity here but
Dr Mahesh Bedekar was instrumental in collecting birth records from three hospitals and sending it to Chennai-based Foetal Care Research Foundation (FCRF) for a thorough report. "Most of the defects could be prevented or reduced if detected in time. Most babies are normal but in about two per cent of the cases there is a problem," Bedekar said.
He added, "Though it may sound very little considering the huge population, it can be emotionally taxing for those parents whose children have to live with these defects. Moreover, in present times, most families may not have a support system to help them care for such children."
According to Bedekar, under such circumstances, it is vital to maintain a Birth Defects Registry (BDR). "This database will help plan and execute strategies to prevent birth defects and provide supportive care to the affected. In 2001, the first-of-its-kind BDR was launched in Chennai by FCRF which is headed by Dr S Suresh and Dr Indrani Suresh in Chennai," Bedekar said.
Doctors said the risk of having a birth defect in the newborn increases due to inadequate prenatal care, poor nutrition status, marriage within the close family and prevalence of some genetic problems, to name a few. The BDR maintained by four Thane hospitals is managed by Dr Bedekar, Dr Malti Chitnis, Dr Deodhar and Dr Mahesh Joshi. It reveals that of the 146 babies detected with deformities from 2006 to 2009, 97 per cent of the newborns suffered from major anomalies. The problems ranged from heart malformations, defects of the neural tube which affect the brain and spinal cord and Down's syndrome. The BDR maintained by the four Thane hospitals-managed by Bedekar, Dr Malti Chitnis, Dr Deodhar and Dr Mahesh Joshi - reveals that of the 146 babies detected with deformities from 2006 to 2009, 97 pe cent of the new borns suffered from major anomalies such as heart malformations, defects of the neural tube which affect the brain and spinal cord, Down syndrome etc."Our report showed that 41 per cent of the babies were suffering from Central Nervous System (CNS) malfunction," Bedekar said.
He added, "These children would suffer from defects of the neural tube, which would cause damage to the brain due to excess water or spinal cord problems."
The cases of children with deformities of the lower limbs, due to muscular problems were around 29 per cent, while close to 19 per cent of the babies had cardiovascular problems.