A Study of Neural Tube Defects

Abstract

Congenital anomalies are of greater interest to Anatomists, Obstetricians, Paediatricians, &; Radiologists. Risk assessment is a part of prenatal care and should begin prior to conception and continue during antenatal period. Our goal should be to prevent the birth of babies with congenital anomalies, such as Neural Tube Defects [NTDs] by supplementing Folic acid &; Vitamin B12 during periconceptional period, and early diagnosis by the available screening protocols such as estimation of Alpha Feto Protein [AFP] in amniotic fluid &; maternal serum and diagnostic USG, so that clinician can counsel the couple regarding the outcome.The present study was under taken to know the incidence of congenital anomalies, in Cheluvamba Hospital attached to Mysore Medical College &; Research Institute Mysore. Among 3000 births during May September 1999, there were 61 babies with congenital anomalies, among these, 32 babies had neural tube defects. Results were analysed and compared with other studies reported in the literature. Overall incidence of congenital anomalies was 2.03 %, incidence of CNS anomalies was 49.19% and incidence of Neural Tube Defects was 1.06 %.