External genital anomalies in newborn babies

Abstract

Objective: External genital anomalies are common congenital anomalies, especially in male newborns. It seems that the incidence of these anomalies is increasing. Although the etiology of these anomalies is obscure in most cases, genetic and environmental factors have important roles. This study aimed to determine the types and frequency of these anomalies in newborn babies and to compare the results with those of a study which was conducted in the same hospital in 1991. Methods: In a descriptive analytic and cross-sectional study, all babies born March 2005 to February 2006 in Alzahra Hospital, Tabriz, were recruited. Findings: 6800 newborns consisting of 3475 (51.1%) boys and 3325 (48.9%) girls were studied. No anomaly was found in girl newborns, but 6.6% of boys had external genital anomalies. Undescended testis and hypospadias were first and second common anomalies. In comparison with the previous study, the frequency of anomalies was higher in preterm and low birth weight babies, babies of related parents and older mothers. Conclusion: The frequency of external genital anomalies had an ascending trend in the last decade. Low birth weight, preterm delivery, high maternal age, and related parents are risk factors for these anomalies.