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Are encephaloceles neural tube defects?
Courtney A Rowland1, Adolfo Correa, Janet D Cragan
1National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Mailstop E-86, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Pediatrics
|September 5, 2006
Summary
Encephalocele shares epidemiological similarities with spina bifida and anencephaly, including decreasing prevalence over time. Folic acid fortification reduced spina bifida but not encephalocele prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Birth Defects Surveillance
Background:
- Encephalocele is a neural tube defect, but its epidemiological profile compared to other neural tube defects requires clarification.
- Understanding the epidemiology of encephalocele is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the epidemiological characteristics and temporal trends of encephalocele with spina bifida and anencephaly.
- To assess the impact of folic acid grain fortification on the prevalence of these birth defects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (a population-based birth defects surveillance system).
- Compared prevalence rates by maternal age, gender, race, birth weight, and ascertainment/fortification periods.
- Employed prevalence ratios and regression models to analyze temporal trends and fortification impact.
Main Results:
- Encephalocele prevalence was 1.4 per 10,000 live births, similar to anencephaly in prevalence among females and multiple gestations.
- All three defects showed an annual prevalence decrease from 1968-2002.
- Folic acid fortification significantly decreased spina bifida prevalence but not encephalocele or anencephaly.
Conclusions:
- Encephalocele exhibits more epidemiological similarities to spina bifida and anencephaly than differences.
- Further research is needed to investigate the etiological heterogeneity of encephalocele, considering folate status and other risk factors.
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