The prevalence and pattern of neural tube defects and other major congenital malformations of nervous system detected at birth in Barbados

Abstract

IntroductionNeural tube defects are the commonest major congenital malformation of nervous system. There is paucity of published data on the public health burden of major congenital malformations from the English Caribbean. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and pattern of major congenital malformations of the nervous system seen at birth. We also describe the burden of neonatal morbidity and mortality from the neural defects. Material and methodsThis was a retrospective clinical audit of all babies born with major congenital malformations of the nervous system in Barbados. The period of reporting was from 1993 to 2012. Relevant data on the babies with major congenital malformations of the nervous system were obtained from the birth register in the labor ward and the admissions register at the NICU. ResultThe prevalence rate for neural tube defects, congenital hydrocephalus, and other Major Congenital Malformations of the Nervous System was 3.76, 2.66, and 1.25 per 10,000 live births, respectively. Major congenital malformations of nervous system accounted for 10 (1.6%; 95% CI=0.8%–3.1%) deaths. The prevalence rate of neural tube defects is lower than those reported from most of the countries around the world.