Detection of Risk Factors for Fetal Anomalies in a Rural Hospital Population

Major defects prevalence in the general population is estimated at 5% of all live births. In cases where the fetus suffers from structural defect, chromosomal or genetic disease, prenatal diagnosis is an important scientific tool that allows reliable advice and better pregnancy outcomes.

Diseases and many embryonic defects can be detected early, including nervous system defects, heart defects, urinary tract defects, limb defects and more. Taking folic acid before pregnancy and during the first trimester reduces the incidence of some of these defects.

Aneuploidy and mainly trisomy 21,18,13, Monosomy X and aneuploid in sex chromosome is responsible for most of the chromosomal anomalies. Some of aneuploidy can be diagnosed by a combination of nuchal translucency (also associated with cardiac abnormalities) and maternal serum markers detection in the first trimester of pregnancy or a laboratory test in the second trimester. Ultrasound is also a tool for diagnosis of aneuploidity, which detecting abnormalities characteristic or "soft signs" who suspicious in chromosomal disorder.

Genetic tests is another diagnostic tool that suggested to general population and in individual cases adapted to genetic diseases that are known.

In 2008 about 75.5% of the population in Israel were Jews, 20.2% Arabs, and 4.3 were defined as "others". Approximately 45% of Arabs living in the northern region compared to 10% of the Jewish population. Congenital malformations were the leading cause of death in infants Arab and the second cause of death in Jewish infants.