A systematic review: On the prevalence, risk factors, and interventions related to major birth defects and inflammatory conditions: a review of population-based and clinical studies

Major congenital anomalies (CAs) represent a significant global burden as one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and long-term morbidity in both developed and developing countries. This review aims to systematically evaluate the prevalence, associated risk factors, and interventions targeting congenital anomalies and related chronic inflammatory conditions based on recent population-based and clinical studies. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, with sources obtained from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2020 and 2025. The findings revealed variations in the prevalence of CAs, including 1.3% in Qatar and 2.6% in Northeast India, with the most affected organ systems being cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, central nervous, and musculoskeletal. Identified risk factors include maternal age, parity, fetal sex, gestational age, and obstetric complications such as chorioamnionitis and nuchal edema. Meanwhile, chronic inflammation associated with obesity is also linked to adverse developmental outcomes, with lifestyle interventions such as High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns proven to reduce inflammatory biomarkers and improve metabolic health. In conclusion, integrating risk-based prenatal screening and evidence-based lifestyle modifications is a crucial strategy to reduce the incidence of congenital anomalies and long-term inflammatory damage. This review recommends multidisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, nutritionists, and policymakers to develop sustainable and contextually relevant interventions.