The Frequency and Distribution of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) at Arthur Davison Children Hospital (ADCH), Ndola Zambia

Abstract

<i>Summary/Abstract Background</i>: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are one of the commonest malformations with worldwide prevalence of 1-3 per1000 live births. They are resulted by failure of neural tube to close during neurulation in 21-28 embryonic days and it’s a multi-factorial in etiology. Currently in Zambia there is no published data regarding NTDs at Arthur Davison Children Hospital (ADCH). Therefore this study was used to assess the frequency and distribution of NTDs at ADCH and will serve as base line reference for further studies. <i>Method</i>: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted to review medical records of children aged 1 day to 5 years who attended ADCH between September 2018 and May 2020. <i>Results</i>: During the study period, there were 2365 patients admitted at the health institution. NTDs were present in 52 cases, giving a prevalence of 0.022 thus 22/1000 births congenital anomalies of this kind observed at the institution were identified from October 2018 to May 2020 patients’ registers, which constituted the study sample. The sample had more boys (61.5%) than girls (38.5%) female with the majority (78.8%) aged between one day to twenty-eight days. The Majority of the children were from Copperbelt province with 88.5%, while the minority were from Muchinga province (1.9%). However the majority of children were from Ndola district (61.5%) and the minority from Mpika district (1.9%). The study showed that many children (96.2%) presented with Spinal Bifida (SB) and lastly encephalocele (3.8%). Myelomeningocele was the most common type of SB (21.2%). Hydrocephalus was the most common associated anomaly (19.2%) while the least associated anomaly was Microcephaly (3.8). <i>Conclusion</i>: The study showed that the majority of children were from Ndola district on the Copperbelt province and most children were admitted between day one and twenty eight days after birth. SB was the most common type of NTDs, and among these, those with myelomeningocele were the majority. Hydrocephalus was the most common associated impairment with majority of patients not undergoing any surgical interventions.