scholarly journals Demography and management outcome of neural tube defects in a Nigerian tertiary health institution

Author(s):  
Usman Babagana

Background: Neural tube defects (NTD) are a group of congenital anomalies of the central nervous system (CNS). Its management is very challenging. A recognised leading cause is a folic acid deficiency, therefore prevented by taking a preconception folic acid. This study looked at the demographic features and management outcome of neural tube defect, a fairly common preventable condition with the need to raise awareness on its preventive measures. Methods: The study was conducted on 82 patients with NTD that were managed in federal medical centre Yola, in North-Eastern Nigeria. It was a retrospective study over a 4-year period, from January 2016 to December 2019.Results: Ages at presentations ranged from 1 to 93 days with a mode of 3 days. There were 29 males and 53 females with a male to female ratio of 1:1.8. Spina bifida constituted 74.4%, encephalocele (20%), Anencephaly (5%). Types of spina bifida managed were myelomeningocele (63.5%), meningocele (33.3%), and lipo-myelomeningocele (3.2%). Two had a 2-level meningocele. Syndromic associations of myelomeningocele were with hydrocephalus (78.1%), foot deformity (22.2%), cardiac (2.5%), and anorectal malformation (2.5%). Ninety-five-point one had various surgeries with 30.8% developing postoperative complications. commonest was post excision of myelomeningocele and encephalocele hydrocephalus (29.1%) in 7 patients. Post-operative Mortality was reported in 2 patients (8.3%).Conclusions: Myelomeningocele was the commonest NTD, and its syndromic association with hydrocephalus was common. A large number of patients had surgical interventions with a good outcome. Post-op mortality was minimal. 

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (58) ◽  
pp. 617-625
Author(s):  
Isabela Callou Sampaio Neves ◽  
Ana Beatriz Callou Sampaio Neves ◽  
Antonio Marlos Duarte de Melo ◽  
Ana Beatriz Sousa Nunes ◽  
Renata Sá Ferreira Brasileiro

Resumo- A mielomeningocele configura um defeito primário do tubo neural mais comum, tal defeito constitui uma das malformações congênitas mais graves do recém-nascido, uma vez que o sistema nervoso central tem início em um tubo que se desenvolve nas estruturas mais complexas do corpo humano. O defeito pode ocorrer na sua porção cranial, resultando em malformações como anencefalia e encefalocele ou na porção caudal resultando em malformações que em grupo são conhecidas como espinha bífida. A mielomeningocele é classificada como espinha bífida aberta e ocorre nas primeiras quatro semanas de gestação. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar na literatura fatores maternos associados ao aparecimento da mielomeningocele. A coleta de dados foi realizada em outubro a novembro de 2021, nas bases de dados SciELO, Google acadêmico e BVS – Brasil utilizando as palavras chaves: “mielomeningocele”, “malformação tubo neural” e “fatores maternos”, sendo necessária também a pesquisa em livros específicos, constituindo uma amostra de 13 publicações. A deficiência de ácido fólico destacou-se como principal fator materno associado à ocorrência da mielomeningocele; além da ingestão materna de anticonvulsivantes, ingestão de fármacos antagonistas do ácido fólico, doenças como o diabetes e a obesidade, deficiência de zinco, baixas condições socioeconômicas e influências perturbadoras como a irradiação e a hipertermia materna. Conclui-se que medidas públicas no combate aos fatores maternos preveníveis são necessárias, uma vez que a mielomeningocele é uma patologia limitante, complexa, com impacto na qualidade de vida dos pacientes e de seus familiares além de requerer equipe especializada e multidisciplinar.Palavras-Chave: Mielomeningocele; Malformações; Espinha bífida. Abstract- Myelomeningocele is a primary defect of the most common neural tube, this defect is one of the most serious congenital malformations in newborns, since the central nervous system starts in a tube that develops in the most complex structures of the human body. The defect can occur in its cranial portion, resulting in malformations such as anencephaly and encephalocele, or in the caudal portion, resulting in malformations that, in group, are known as spina bifida. Myelomeningocele is classified as open spina bifida and occurs within the first four weeks of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to identify maternal factors associated with the onset of myelomeningocele in the literature. Data collection was carried out from October to November 2021, in the SciELO, Google Academic and BVS – Brazil databases using the keywords: “myelomeningocele”, “neural tube malformation” and “maternal factors”, also requiring the research in specific books, constituting a sample of 13 publications. Folic acid deficiency stood out as the main maternal factor associated with the occurrence of myelomeningocele; in addition to maternal intake of anticonvulsants, intake of drugs that are antagonists to folic acid, diseases such as diabetes and obesity, zinc deficiency, low socioeconomic conditions and disturbing influences such as radiation and maternal hyperthermia. It is concluded that public measures to combat preventable maternal factors are necessary, since myelomeningocele is a limiting and complex pathology, with an impact on the quality of life of patients and their families, in addition to requiring a specialized and multidisciplinary team.Keywords: Myelomeningocele. Malformations. Spina bifida.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-650
Author(s):  
K. M. Laurence

It is generally agreed that neural tube defects (NTD) have a multifactorial etiology when genetic factors render the developing fetus susceptible to intrauterine environmental factors acting during the fourth week of gestation to interfere with the orderly closure of the neural tube.1 As there is little likelihood that anything can be done about the genetic background, primary prevention would therefore be dependent on eliminating these factors from the environment or avoiding them. My intention here is to enlarge on some aspects of primary prevention of NTD as outlined by Smithells in an earlier issue (Pediatrics 69:498, 1982).2 One environmental factor, poor maternal nutrition and, more particularly, folic acid deficiency seems now to have been identified, but there are almost certainly a number of others.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110596
Author(s):  
Mohammed AL-Mohaithef ◽  
Hadeel Alaslani ◽  
Nargis Begum Javed ◽  
Sriram Chandramohan

Objectives: This study evaluates awareness of folic acid and neural tube defects, use of folic acid and knowledge of folic acid usage among female university students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Jeddah branch of Saudi Electronic University. A total of 400 female students in the 19–45 years age group were contacted to participate in the study using a convenience sampling method. Eighty-eight students refused to participate, so 312 students were included in the study. Demographic characteristics of participants and their awareness, usage and knowledge of folic acid are presented as frequencies and percentages. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute crude odds ratios to show the association between demographic factors and knowledge of folic acid supplementation. A further adjusted odds ratio was calculated to control for other cofactors. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Overall, 81.1% (253/312) of respondents had heard of folic acid, 30.4% knew about neural tube defects, and 47.1% of respondents reported using folic acid supplements. Marriage was found to be associated with awareness of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.64 (1.01–6.91)). Health sciences specialization and experience of pregnancy were associated with the usage of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.46 (1.73–6.91) and adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 6.70 (3.09–14.53), respectively). A bachelor’s and above education level was found to be associated with knowledge of folic acid deficiency leading to neural tube defects (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.03 (1.17–3.52)), and health sciences specialization was found to be associated with knowledge of natural sources of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.33 (1.25–4.36)). Similarly, marriage was found to be associated with knowledge of the correct dosage of folic acid and timing of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 6.34 (3.50–11.48) and adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.45 (1.93–6.16), respectively). Experience of pregnancy was found to be an associated with good total knowledge of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.05 (1.65–5.63); p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The study findings highlight the lack of awareness among female university students about the importance of folic acid usage in the prevention of neural tube defects. There is a need for interventional programs in universities to create awareness.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 4688-4702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoyan Chang ◽  
Xiaolin Lu ◽  
Shan Wang ◽  
Zhigang Wang ◽  
Junsheng Huo ◽  
...  

Biochimie ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 126 ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Sudiwala ◽  
Sandra C.P. De Castro ◽  
Kit-Yi Leung ◽  
John T. Brosnan ◽  
Margaret E. Brosnan ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Shaoyan Chang ◽  
Jia Jing ◽  
Shaofang Shangguan ◽  
Baiyi Li ◽  
Xiuying Yao ◽  
...  

1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 952-956
Author(s):  
Buwembo William ◽  
Apolot Priscilla Obore ◽  
Samuel Ziraba ◽  
Mesarch Kange ◽  
Ian Guyton Munabi ◽  
...  

Spina bifida is one of the commonest neural tube defects. Though food fortification with folic acid has been reported to reduce spina bifida, the incidence of spina bifida and the benefits of taking folic acid have not been documented in many developing countries including Uganda. This study set out to determine the incidence of spina bifida and related skeletal neural tube defects in the skeletons currently housed in the Galloway skeletal collection at Makererere University College of Health Sciences, Anatomy department with the aim of using the data to extrapolate on the usefulness of food fortification with folic acid. This was a descriptive cross sectional study on 226 skeletons in the Galloway osteological collection examined by an experienced anatomist for features of neural tube defects that ranged from non-fusion of the spinal arches to total absence of vertebral structures. Of the skeletons examined 43/226 (19%) had spina bifida. Of these 38/43 (88%) were male, suggesting a higher incidence of spina bifida in males than in the females. Overall 55.2% of the skeletons were within the age range of 20-55 years. This historical study highlights possible differences in the maternal micro nutrient status in the early months of pregnancy for various African populations as shown by the differences in the prevalence rates of minor spina bifida defects in the Galloway osteological collection. There is need for baseline studies on folic acid levels during pregnancy and the various local dietary sources of folic acid for Africans.Key words: Neural tube defects, osteology


Pteridines ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bakhouche Houcher ◽  
Romyla Bourouba ◽  
Farida Djabi ◽  
Zahira Houcher

Abstract Neural tube defects (NTDs) including spina bifida, anencephaly and encephalocele are among the most common birth defects, with high associated mortality and morbidity. There are no data concerning the incidence, associated anomalies, treatment and outcome of NTDs in Algeria. The objective of this study is to analyse data on NTD cases from 2004-2006 at Sétif Hospital, a hospital with 8,000-10,000 deliveries annually. A retrospective chart review of patients with NTDs was performed, who were born at Sétif Hospital 2004-2006. During the 3 year period we examined, there were 215 patients with NTDs treated in the Sétif Hospital. The incidence of NTD is 7.5 per 1,000 births. The sex distribution was not equal among NTD cases, 126 (58.6%) females, 88 (40.9%) males and one (0.5%) unidentified sex. Among all NTD cases, there where 122 (56.7%) with spina bifida, 69 (32.1%) with anencephaly, 1 (0.5%) with encephalocele and 23 (10.7%) with anencephaly and spina bifida. Hundred and seventeen (54.4%) cases died in utero and 4 cases (1.9%) unknown. The rate of consanguinity among all NTD cases was 13% (28/215). The rate of affected newborns was highest in mothers aged 31-35 years (21.9%). The peak prevalence was in June (15.8%). A half of NTDs were spina bifida and there was a high rate of mortality. This study demonstrates that NTD represents a significant public health problem in Algeria. In Algeria there were no population-wide educational campaigns about folic acid or its association with the prevention of birth defects. Public health interventions aimed at increasing the periconceptional consumption of folic acid should be implemented or enhanced to reduce the incidence of NTDs in Algeria.


Author(s):  
Farida Habib Khan Khan ◽  
Shog K. Alahmed ◽  
Wijdan S. Alsaad ◽  
Ashwaq H. Alshammari

Background: Folic acid deficiency is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies among women of childbearing-age. Folic acid is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin. Although the deficiency is easily corrected by administration of folic acid, but still the prevalence of folic acid deficiency is high. It can lead to neural tube defects (NTDs) in fetus, which are a major cause of severe disability and mortality among infant population, occurring in over one quarter of a million new-borns per year, worldwide. NTDs occur in the very early phase of pregnancy when the mother herself does not know that she is pregnant. This study has assessed awareness of women of childbearing age on folic acid i.e., timing of folic acid supplementation, different sources, symptoms of its deficiency, toxicity and its effect on fetus. Study was conducted in Ha’il region and its suburbs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the period between October 2020 and February 2021. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among 842 women aged between18 and 45 years using a close-ended questionnaire. Results: In total, Folic Acid was taken by just 23.87% of participants. Only 33% knew that Folic Acid deficiency causes neural tube defects in fetus. Further it was revealed that postgraduates had a significantly better knowledge on Folic Acid  0.000) than others. Similarly, those who belonged to household where total monthly income was 5000 Saudi Riyals or more had better awareness on Folic Acid than participants who belonged to low socioeconomic status (  0.05). Conclusion: It’s concluded that in Ha’il and its suburb area, women of childbearing age do not possess adequate knowledge on Folic Acid. Neural tube defects in fetus due to folic acid deficiency were not known by a large majority of respondents. However, awareness has a strong association with educational level and socioeconomic status. Hence it is recommended that female literacy and female employment should be promoted, encouraged and supported in Kingdom in order to improve our health indicators.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document