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Background and Objective: Primary TORCH (Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus) and Treponema palidum infections in the mothers can lead to severe fetal anomalies. This study was done to explore the prevalance of TORCH antibodies in newborns with congenital malformations and their mothers in Gorgan-Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was done on newborns with major congential malformations, during 20 months (2003-04) in Dezyani hospital- a referal gynecology center in Gorgan, in north of Iran. The blood sample of 64 newborns with congenital malformations and their mothers collected. Serologic testes were done on newborns and mothers' sera to determine IgM and IgG levels against rubella, toxoplasma gondeie, Cytomegalo virus, Herpes simplex type II with ELISA test. For Terponema palidum PRP test was used. Results: Four of 64 infants (6 %) had positive IgM antibody titers for Toxoplasma, Rubella, and Cytomegalovirus. Nine of mothers with affected newborns (14%) had positive IgM antibody titers for Toxoplasma, Rubella, and Cytomegalovirus. Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalance of TORCH antibodies are observed in 6% of birth defects, in this region.

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Background and Objective: Congenital malformations are among important causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns. This study was done to determine the prevalence and pattern of congenital malformations in newborn. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was done on 6089 newborns in maternity center in Rafsanjan, Iran during 2007-08. The newborns were examined by pediatricians and based on clinical examination the type of obvious of either minor or major malformations were recorded. Results: The 179 cases had at least a major or minor malformations. Over all the prevalence of malformations was 2.93%. The highest prevalence of obvious malformations was seen in the musculo-skeletal (43.5%), followed by genitourinary (22.9%) and cardiovascular systems (15.08%). There was significant relation between congenital malformations, gestational age and medicine used by mothers (P<0.05). Conclusion: The highest prevalence of obvious malformations was seen in the musculo-skeletal system.