Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: Studying Clinical Characters and Epilepsy Outcomes After Frontal Disconnection in Patients with MOGHE
Published on: August 16, 2024
Four-Year Treatment Outcomes of Children Operated for Neural Tube Defect in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Retrospective
Samuel Getahun1, Samuel Masresha1, Eyob Zenebe1
1Neurosurgery Units, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Insights
Outcomes for surgically treated neural tube defects (NTDs) in Ethiopian children are poor, with high mortality and morbidity. Identifying predictors like hydrocephalus and motor function is crucial for improving care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Global Health Outcomes
- Congenital Malformations
Background:
- Neural tube defects (NTDs) closure is a common pediatric neurosurgical procedure in Ethiopia.
- Limited data exists on the outcomes and predictors of mortality and morbidity for surgically treated NTDs in this region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the outcomes of surgically treated NTDs in children.
- To identify predictors of mortality and morbidity in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective registration of patients undergoing NTD closure between July 2013 and August 2014.
- Minimum 4-year follow-up after initial surgery.
- Analysis of patient data for complications, mortality, and survival predictors.
Main Results:
- 88 children were included, with a median age of 29 days at surgery. Lumbar defects were most common (60.2%).
- No perioperative mortality, but 26.1% experienced wound complications, including CSF leak and infection. Preoperative CSF leak predicted postoperative complications.
- At 4 years, 41% of the 61 followed-up children had died. Hydrocephalus and reduced motor function were negative survival predictors.
Conclusions:
- The overall prognosis for surgically treated NTDs in this cohort is poor.
- The study identifies key risk factors, providing a foundation for targeted interventions and improved standards of care.
Background:
Closure of neural tube defects (NTDs) in children is a common neurosurgical procedure in Ethiopia, but we know little about the outcomes. The aim of this study was to study outcomes and to identify predictors of mortality and morbidity of surgically treated NTDs.
Methods:
Between July 2013 and August 2014, all patients operated for NTDs were prospectively registered in a database and followed for a minimum of 4 years after the initial surgery.
Results:
A total of 88 children primary operated for NTD closure in the period between July 2013 to August 2014 were included in the study. The median age at primary NTD closure was 29 days. The commonest site of defect was lumbar (60.2%) followed by lumbosacral (11.4%). There was no perioperative mortality, however, 23 (26.1%) of the children developed wound-related complications including cerebrospinal fluid leak and infection. Preoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage (P = 0.013) was associated with risk of postoperative complications. We acquired 4-years follow-up data for 61 (69%) of the cases. At 4 years, 25 (41%) of these children had died. Presence of hydrocephalus and reduced motor function were found to be negative predictors for survival.
Conclusions:
Overall, the prognosis was poor. The study provides a basis for identifying patients at risk to improve the standard of care.
