New Born Children with NTD

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to describe epidemiological aspects and clinical characteristics of these patients, as well as diagnostic work-up, comprehensive management and updated follow-up. Methods: In a 4-years’ period, 6 female and 4 male fetuses were diagnosed with NTD in Department of OBG at Victoria Hospital, BMCRI, Bangalore. Analyzed data were related to familiar and/or maternal risk factors (consanguinity, maternal preexisting and/or gestational diseases, exposure to teratogen/infectious agents, lack of preconception folic acid supplement), demographic (ethnicity/origin, residence) and clinical features (eventual use of assisted reproduction techniques, prenatal diagnosis, gestational age, fetal presentation, type of delivery, birth weight, preoperative imaging, antibiotics and analgesics use, description of the surgery intervention, length of hospital stay, comorbidities, complications), and follow-up. Results: Among 10 cases, 6 female and 4 male fetuses were diagnosed with NTD. All 10 fetuses had Anencephaly and other associated anomalies. The diagnosis was made by prenatal ultrasonography. Among ten mothers one was over-aged. Medical history revealed that only 2 mothers used folic acid (FA), -tablets containing 5 mg folic acid, once daily, beginning after being aware of the pregnancy- neither initiated preconceptionally, nor consumed regularly. The remaining 8 mothers did not use any supplements. No mothers used any kind of drugs during pregnancy, and 2 were diabetic. All patients had normal thyroid, liver and renal function tests. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed no abnormality.