TITLE:
Prevalence of Neural Tube Defects: Moroccan Study 2008-2011
AUTHORS:
Mohammed Amine Radouani, Naima Chahid, Loubna Benmiloud, Leila El Ammari, Aicha Kharbach, Larbi Rjimati, Laila Acharrai, Khalid Lahlou, Hassan Aguenaou, Amina Barkat
KEYWORDS:
Neural Tube Defects, Anencephaly, Spina Bifida, Folic Acid, Prevalence
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.5 No.3,
September
9,
2015
ABSTRACT: Background: Neural tube defects have a considerable importance because
they can be prevented by supplementing Folic acid & Vitamin B12 during
periconceptional period and fortification of staple foods. In Morocco, the
Ministry of Health launched a national program for fortification of flour with
folic acid. Our goal should be to evaluate the prevalence of neural tube
defects after fortification. Description: This is a retrospective descriptive
at the National Reference Centre for Nutrition and Neonatology of the
Children’s Hospital of Rabat over 4 years. Data were identified from the
registry of congenital malformations held at the perinatology unit. Results:
During the 4 years, 674 congenital malformations were identified. The neural
tube defects NTDs account for 11.9%. Their annual prevalence decreased
significantly from 21.78 in 2008 to 12.1 per 10,000 total births in 2011. The most common form was anencephaly
(60%). Neural tube defects were isolated in 85% of cases and associated
with other malformations in 15% of cases. 49.4% of infants with neural tube
defects were female and 50.6% were male. Perinatal mortality in newborns with
neural tube defects was 63.8% versus 25.2% in malformed newborns without neural
tube defects. Conclusions: The neural tube defects seem to be common in our
context. Permanent epidemiological surveillance is needed to determine the true
prevalence at the national as well as its temporal trends level.