One in 25 Babies Born in The Maldives Had a Birth Defect, Study Finds

More than one in every 25 babies born at the Maldives’ main government hospital over the past nine years had at least one birth defect, according to a new study that highlights congenital anomalies as an increasingly significant child health challenge in the country.

The study, conducted at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), analysed 17,188 live births recorded between 2016 and 2024. It found that 729 infants — around 4.2% of all births at the hospital — were born with congenital anomalies classified under international diagnostic guidelines.

In total, researchers documented 1,215 individual birth defects, as some babies were born with more than one anomaly. The authors said the findings represent the most comprehensive hospital-based documentation of birth defects in the Maldives to date.

ދިވެހިންގެ ތެރޭގައި ހުންނަ އުފެދުމުގައިހުންނަ އައިބުތައް.
މިއީ @igmhmv ގެ 10 އަހަރުގެ ތަފާސް ހިސާބު
Our paper on #BirthDefects of Maldives is published.
Have a look.https://t.co/ikedZjEK0f— Ahmed Faisal (@Faisalnaifaru) January 12, 2026

Congenital anomalies emerging as a major child health issue

Researchers noted that the findings come at a time when congenital anomalies are emerging as a more prominent contributor to infant and child mortality, as deaths from infections and birth-related complications continue to decline in the Maldives.

The overall incidence of birth defects at IGMH was calculated at 42.4 per 1,000 live births.

Heart-related defects most common

Congenital malformations of the circulatory system were the most frequently reported, accounting for nearly 29% of all defects recorded in the study. These were followed by anomalies affecting the musculoskeletal system, digestive system and genital organs.

Male and preterm babies more affected

Male infants were disproportionately affected, making up nearly 57% of babies born with defects. Around a quarter of all recorded defects occurred in preterm babies.

The study also found that 15% of mothers who delivered babies with birth defects had gestational diabetes, suggesting the need for closer monitoring of maternal health during pregnancy.

Deaths before discharge remain a concern

While most infants with congenital anomalies survived to hospital discharge, 27 babies — 3.7% of those born with defects — died before leaving hospital.

Respiratory system anomalies, though relatively rare, were responsible for the highest proportion of deaths. Pulmonary hypoplasia was identified as the leading cause of mortality among infants with birth defects.

Limitations and possible underestimation

The authors cautioned that the findings are based on data from a single hospital, which accounts for roughly one-third of all deliveries nationwide, and may not fully reflect the national picture.

Stillbirths and miscarriages were excluded from the analysis, as were congenital conditions such as thalassemia and G6PD deficiency — conditions known to be prevalent in the Maldives — meaning the true burden of congenital disorders may be higher than reported.

Call for stronger national surveillance

The study calls for expanded national birth defect surveillance beyond tertiary hospitals, improved maternal health data collection, and earlier detection and referral of high-risk anomalies.

As overall infant and under-five mortality rates continue to decline, the authors warned that without sustained attention, congenital anomalies will increasingly shape child health outcomes in the Maldives.