Neural tube defects in Pondicherry

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Public Health
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a significant global public health concern.
• Understanding the epidemiological trends of NTDs is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Previous data from the hospital indicated a lower frequency of NTDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the trend and frequency of neural tube defects (NTDs) in a specific region.
• To analyze the incidence of different types of NTDs.
• To identify associated risk factors for NTDs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of birth data from July 1998 to June 2004.
• Calculation of the overall frequency of NTDs per 1000 births.
• Statistical analysis to identify significant risk factors and trends.

Main Results:

• The overall frequency of NTDs rose to 5.7/1000 births, a notable increase from the earlier observed 2.3/1000 births.
• Spina bifida was the most prevalent NTD (54.8%), followed by anencephaly (31.6%) and encephalocele (11.6%).
• NTDs were more common in female infants, low birth weight babies, stillbirths, unbooked mothers, and offspring of consanguineous marriages (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

• The observed increase in NTD frequency suggests a potential emerging trend in Southern India.
• Consanguinity emerged as a significant risk factor for NTDs in this population.
• Further prospective studies are recommended to evaluate the impact of folic acid supplementation on reducing NTD incidence.