Study on neural tube defects of neonates and folic acid awareness at a Teaching Hospital in Sri Lanka

N N Dissanayake,D M W H Bandara,S C Wickramasinghe

doi:10.4038/sljch.v39i1.1628

Abstract

Study on neural tube defects of neonates and folic acid awareness at a Teaching Hospital in Sri Lanka

Highlights

Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) are the second most prevalent group of congenital anomalies in the world, second only to cardiac malformations and are associated with substantial morbidity & mortality[1,2]
NTDs are congenital malformations occurring during early intrauterine life around 3-4 weeks of gestation by failure of closure of the neural tube which eventually forms the central nervous system
Number of babies born with NTD at T.H.Kandy was 20

Summary

Introduction

Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) are the second most prevalent group of congenital anomalies in the world, second only to cardiac malformations and are associated with substantial morbidity & mortality[1,2]. NTDs are congenital malformations occurring during early intrauterine life around 3-4 weeks of gestation by failure of closure of the neural tube which eventually forms the central nervous system. Worldwide an estimated 300,000 or more babies are born with spine bifida and anencephaly[3]. In the United States reported birth prevalence rates vary from 4 to 10 per 10, 000 live births[4]. Some studies in countries such as Ireland, United Kingdom, China, Hungary, Mexico and India (3.9– 9 per1000) have reported higher rates. Rates as high as 1% have been reported[5]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion