SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Public Health Rev.
A Silent Epidemic of Congenital Anomalies and Its Predictors Among Newborns in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- MM
Mitku Mammo Taderegew 1
- AW
Alemayehu Wndie 2
- FT
Feredegn Talargia Belete 1
- WD
Wondosen Debebe 3
- LM
Lemlemu Maru 4
- GG
Gashaw Garedew Woldeamanuel 2
1. Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
2. Wolkite University, Welkite, Ethiopia
3. Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
4. University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Abstract
Objective: This review was conducted with the aim of assessing the pooled prevalence of congenital anomalies and its predictors among newborns in Ethiopia. Methods: The relevant studies were identified by electronic database searching methods. All statistical analyses were carried out with STATA™ Version-14 software. Results: A total of 22 studies were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of congenital anomalies was 21.25 per 1000 newborns. Age of the mother 35 years and above (POR=3.29, 95%CI: 1.59-6.82) absence of formal education among mothers (POR=1.35, 95%CI:1.12-1.63), maternal cigarate smoking (POR=2.98, 95%CI:1.56-5.67), alcoholic drinking (POR=2.66, 95%CI:1.28-5.51), chat chewing (POR=3.37,95%CI:1.57-7.21), no folic acid supplementation (POR=4.29, 95%CI:2.35-7.83), pesticide exposure (POR=3.23, 95%CI: 2.02-5.16), medication use during pregnancy (POR=4.37, 95%CI:2.11-9.06), maternal chronic illness (POR=3.76, 95%CI:1.72-8.20), preterm (POR=2.35, 95%CI: 1.59-3.47), multiple pregnancy (POR=3.66, 95%CI:1.99-6.71), low birth weight (POR=5.46, 95%CI: 4.41-6.75) were identified as the predictors of congenital anomalies among newborns in Ethiopia. Conclusions: Relatively high burden of congenital anomalies were detected. Hence, strategies to minimize substance use, exposure to pesticide and medication, and to improve folic acid supplementation during pregnancy should be encouraged.
Summary
Keywords
Congenital anomalies, Ethiopia, Meta-analysis, newborns, predictors
Received
26 June 2025
Accepted
02 February 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Taderegew, Wndie, Belete, Debebe, Maru and Woldeamanuel. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Mitku Mammo Taderegew, mitkumamo@gmail.com
Disclaimer
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