Just how prevalent are congenital anomalies in Kenya? Most mothers (nearly eight in 10) had the first ultrasound done at between 28 and 41 weeks of pregnancy. The most common foetal anomalies involved the head (nearly two per cent or eight babies), while the other anomalies detected (anomalies of the spine, pulmonary, bladder and kidney, and skeletal defects) affected less than one per cent of the foetuses. Of the 15 foetuses that had congenital defects, six had multiple anomalies, one of the six pregnancies was terminated due to multiple anomalies (scoliosis, pulmonary hypoplasia, absent kidneys and bladder), some of which were fatal, and nine of the babies died within days of birth. One foetus had stomach bubble anomalies, and the baby received corrective surgery, but died due to other complications.

Source: Daily Nation March 12, 2019 06:56 UTC