OBJECTIVES: Birth defects are among the leading causes of infant mortality and morbidity in the Philippines. While affected infants make up a sizable portion of live births in General Santos City (GSC), no information is available about their actual numbers. This study aims to fill the knowledge gap about the prevalence and nature of congenital anomalies (CAs) and congenital metabolic disorders (CMDs) in the city from 2009 to 2012.

METHODS: A retrospective study of in-patient records from six(6) medical facilities was done for CA/CMD cases from 2009-2012. Among the CMDs tested were congenital hypothyroidism (CH), congenital adrenal hyperlasia (CAH), galactosemia (GAL), hyperphenyalaninemia (HPA), phenylkentonuria  (PKU) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD def).

RESULT: Collected data revealed 109 cases of CAs with limb deformities, oro-facial clefting and neural tube disorders comprising majority of cases. There were 878 reported cases of CMDs with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD def) as the most prevalent at 829 cases. There was also a preponderance of CAs/CMDs in a government hospital for the indigent.

CONCLUSION: These result underscore the emergence of CAs and CMDs as a major health problem among newborns in GSC. Higher incidences of birth defects in one district hospital also reveal a tentative link between CA/CMD incidence and socioeconomic status. It is of paramount importance therefore, to undertake expansion of the newborn screening program and to establish local birth registries so that a more comprehensive and realistic picture of CA/CMD prevalence in the city will be obtained.