Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
A Professor of Surgery at the University of Ibadan, Professor Taiwo Akeem Lawal, has called for the establishment of a comprehensive national newborn screening programme in Nigeria to facilitate the early detection and treatment of birth defects.
He made this call while delivering the 629th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan on behalf of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences.
The lecture was titled: “Creating Passageways in Dark Alleys: The Bumps, The Spurs and The Speed-Breakers.”
Professor Lawal explained that birth defects, also known as congenital malformations, are structural or functional abnormalities in an infant at birth which are usually classified as major or minor.
He identified examples of birth defects to include congenital heart defects, neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate, underdeveloped lungs, conjoined twins and structural abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract, the anus and the rectum.
The don emphasised that major birth defects are life-threatening and remain among the leading causes of mortality in newborns and infants, while minor birth defects are generally less severe and do not cause significant medical problems.
He, however, noted that when multiple minor anomalies are present, they may herald an underlying major birth defect, citing examples such as birthmarks, webbing of the digits, extra nipples and preauricular skin tags or pits.
He explained that although the exact aetiology of many birth defects remains unknown, several teratogenic and environmental factors are linked to an increased risk. These include maternal smoking during pregnancy, the use of certain embryotoxic medications, exposure to radiation, the ingestion of harmful chemicals via contaminated food or water, and parental occupations that involve contact with hazardous materials.
The inaugural lecturer asserted that his research into birth defects revealed significant gaps in prenatal screening and public awareness in Nigeria.
According to him, a five-year review of children treated for birth defects at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, identified 1,479 cases, with approximately 60 per cent of the children having multiple defects. He, however, said only 11 children had their conditions detected before birth.
He stated that the findings demonstrated the limited use of prenatal screening and the need for an organised national programme to identify birth defects early and ensure appropriate medical intervention.
Professor Lawal noted that subsequent studies conducted at UCH showed the benefits of fetal abnormality scanning in detecting congenital conditions before delivery.
He explained that these efforts contributed to the establishment of the Newborn Screening Consortium, Nigeria, to investigate structural, metabolic and other forms of birth defects.
He further disclosed that a study involving 714 mothers revealed that only one-quarter were aware of birth defects, while just 10 per cent knew that folic acid could help prevent some congenital abnormalities.
The Professor of Surgery expressed concern that only 2.5 per cent of the women studied had taken folic acid during the period around conception in their most recent pregnancies.
He lamented the challenges confronting paediatric surgery in developing countries, such as inadequate surgical equipment and essential medical supplies, which have compelled practitioners to develop alternative techniques and adapt existing procedures to local conditions.
The lecturer lamented further that many paediatric surgeons in low- and middle-income countries lack the appropriate tools required for the effective perioperative management of children with colorectal malformations.
He, therefore, stressed the need for stronger public enlightenment campaigns and improved access to information on the prevention of birth defects, particularly among women of reproductive age, restating the promotion of folic acid intake before and during early pregnancy.
Professor Lawal advocated the examination of every newborn in Nigeria by a paediatrician or another appropriately trained healthcare professional where a paediatrician is unavailable.
He urged the government and relevant institutions to strengthen paediatric colorectal surgery as a specialised field and establish regional centres of excellence capable of providing comprehensive multidisciplinary care.
Professor Lawal expressed optimism that continued research, innovation and collaboration would help reduce surgical complications, improve treatment outcomes and enhance the quality of life of children living with congenital abnormalities.
The lecture was the 25th in the series for the 2025/2026 academic session.
