Incidence and Risk Factors of Embryo-logically Diagnosed Congenital Hydrocephalus: A Study of Ultrasonography Finding in 2nd and 3rd Trimesters

Riasat Ali Nahra; Noreen Rasul; Shabnam Sibtain; Sasui Memon; Eisha Tahir; Eisha Tahir

doi:10.71104/jsogp.v16i1.1033

Riasat Ali Nahra Associate Professor Department of Anatomy, Pak Red Crescent Medical & Dental College, Lahore
Noreen Rasul AAssociate Professor of Obs & Gynae, Pak Red Crescent Medical & Dental College, Lahore
Shabnam Sibtain Assistant Professor Obs & Gynae, Azra Naheed Medical College, Lahore
Sasui Memon Assistant Professor Radiology, Rashid Latif Medical college, Lahore
Eisha Tahir Assistant Professor of Radiology, Shalamar Hospital, Lahore
Eisha Tahir Assistant Professor of Radiology, Shalamar Hospital, Lahore

DOI: https://doi.org/10.71104/jsogp.v16i1.1033

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence of congenital hydrocephalus (CHC) detected by ultrasonography during antenatal check-ups and to assess associated risk factors in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Departments of Radiology and Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Pak Red Crescent Medical and Dental College and Teaching Hospital, Dina Nath, Multan Road, Kasur. Pregnant women in the second and third trimesters presenting for routine antenatal ultrasound examination, irrespective of age and parity, were included in the study. Ultrasonography was performed using high-resolution real-time ultrasound machines with colour Doppler in all participants. The ventricular atrial width was measured at the level of the glomus of the choroid plexus during scanning. Congenital hydrocephalus was considered present when the atrial width of the lateral ventricles was found to be greater than 10 mm. Data were collected using a self-structured proforma containing study-related variables.

Results: The mean maternal age was 28.34 ± 6.44 years. Congenital hydrocephalus was identified in 5 out of 2335 women, while spina bifida was detected in 3 out of 2335 women. Among the suspected risk factors, inadequate intake of folic acid, advanced maternal age, and consanguinity were found to be the most important factors and showed significant associations with both congenital hydrocephalus and spina bifida (p < 0.05). Hypertension, diabetes, and infections did not show any significant association with either anomaly (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The incidence of congenital hydrocephalus was approximately 5 (0.2%) out of 2335 pregnancies diagnosed by ultrasonography. Inadequate folic acid intake, advanced maternal age, and consanguinity were identified as the most common suspected risk factors during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.