TEMPORAL TREND AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CONGENITAL ANOMALIES AMONG LIVE BIRTHS IN PIAUÍ, BRAZIL, 2011–2024

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the temporal trend in prevalence and the factors associated with congenital anomalies among live births in Piauí, Brazil, from 2011 to 2024. Methods: An observational study with two analytical components: a time series of the annual prevalence of congenital anomalies and a cross-sectional analysis of associated factors, using data from the Live Birth Information System. The temporal trend was analyzed using Prais-Winsten regression, calculating the annual percentage change (APC). Associated factors were estimated using Poisson regression with robust variance, yielding prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of congenital anomalies was 70.0 per 10,000 live births. An upward trend was observed in the overall prevalence of anomalies (APC = 1.5%; 95% CI 1.3; 1.6) and in the groups comprising malformations of the eye, ear, face, and neck (APC = 8.4%; 95% CI 3.5; 13.6), congenital heart defects (APC = 15.0%; 95% CI 7.3; 23.4), chromosomal anomalies (APC = 13.2%; 95% CI 5.1; 21.9), oral clefts (APC = 8.5%; 95% CI 5.0; 12.1), and musculoskeletal malformations (APC = 3.1%; 95% CI 1.7; 4.5), whereas nervous system malformations showed a stationary trend (APC = 0.5%; 95% CI -5.5; 7.0). In the adjusted model, maternal age ≥35 years (PR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.4; 1.6), Black (PR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.0; 1.4), Asian (PR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.0; 2.2), and Indigenous (PR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.5; 5.3) race/color, multiple pregnancy (PR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.1; 1.7), and having up to six prenatal care visits (PR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.1; 1.2) remained associated with the occurrence of congenital anomalies. Conclusion: Congenital anomalies showed an upward prevalence trend in Piauí, associated with maternal and healthcare-related factors.