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The Prevalence and Distribution of Spina Bifida in a Single Major Referral Center in Malaysia
Adibah Sahmat1, Renuka Gunasekaran1, Siti W Mohd-Zin1
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Insights
This study reviewed spina bifida cases from 2003-2016, finding prevalence aligns with international rates. Myelomeningocele in the lumbar region was most common, with Malay ethnicity and male sex predominant.
Area of Science:
- Medical history and epidemiology of congenital anomalies.
- Pediatric neurology and developmental disorders.
- Public health and birth defect surveillance.
Background:
- Spina bifida, a neural tube defect, presents in aperta and occulta forms.
- Understanding demographic and clinical factors is crucial for patient care and public health initiatives.
- This study reviews medical histories of spina bifida patients born between 2003 and 2016.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the medical history of spina bifida patients.
- To determine the prevalence, associated conditions, and demographic factors of spina bifida.
- To assess patient ambulation and educational outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of spina bifida patient records (ICD10: Q05) at University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia.
- Data extraction from clinical examinations, medical reviews, and social histories between 2003 and 2016.
- Inclusion of patient and maternal information, defect details, and associated conditions.
Main Results:
- Analyzed 86 spina bifida patient records; prevalence ranged from 1.87 to 8.9 per 1,000 live births.
- Malay ethnicity (41.86%) and male sex were predominant. Myelomeningocele (45.35%) in the lumbar region (26.74%) was most common.
- Associated conditions included hydrocephalus (37.21%). Mobility was observed in 32.84% of patients aged 4-16, and 36.07% received formal education.
Conclusions:
- Spina bifida prevalence at UMMC aligns with international statistics (0.5-10 per 1,000 live births).
- Majority of cases involved males, Malay ethnicity, full-term babies, and the myelomeningocele phenotype in the lumbar region.
- Findings highlight key demographic and clinical characteristics of spina bifida in the studied population.
Background:
The aim of this study is to review the medical history of patients with spina bifida, encompassing both aperta and occulta types born between the years 2003 until 2016, spanning a 13-year time period. We assessed each patient and maternal parent information, details of the defects, and conditions associated with the primary defect. We also include information on patients' ambulation and education level (where available).
Methods:
Data from the Department of Patient Information University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia was captured from spina bifida patients (ICD10: Q05 spina bifida). Data involved patients referred to UMMC between 2003 and 2016 and/or born in UMMC within that particular time frame. We filtered and extracted the information according to the data of clinical examination, medical review, and social history provided in the medical records.
Results:
A total of 86 patient records with spina bifida were analyzed. Spina bifida prevalence rate in this study ranged from 1.87 to 8.9 per 1,000 live births depending on weightage. We note that ethnicity was a factor whereby the highest numbers of spina bifida were from Malays (n = 36, 41.86%), followed by equal numbers of Chinese and Indians (n = 24, 27.91%). The highest number of diagnoses reported was myelomeningocele type-spina bifida (n = 39, 45.35%). The most common site of the spina bifida lesion was located at the lumbar region irrespective of aperta or occulta types (n = 23, 26.74%). Data on other associated phenotypes of spina bifida such as hydrocephalus and encephalocele was also captured at 37.21% (n = 32) and 1.16% (n = 1), respectively. In terms of mobility, 32.84% (n = 22/67) of patients between the ages 4 and 16 years old were found to be mobile. As many as 36.07% of patients ranging from 5 to 16 years of age (n = 22/61) received formal education ranging from preschool to secondary school.
Conclusion:
The prevalence of spina bifida in UMMC is as according to international statistics which is in the range of 0.5-10 per 1,000 live births. Majority of the reported cases were males, Malays, full term babies, and of the myelomeningocele phenotype located at the lumbar region.