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Relative Prevalence and Outcome of Fetal Neural Tube Defect in a Developing Country

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Abstract

Objectives

To find out the relative prevalence of fetal neural tube defect (NTD) and its outcome in terms of survival at birth and beyond 2 years of age.

Methods

A 10-year prospective (2008–2018) observational study was performed, which included all prenatally detected fetal NTD. Two-year follow-up was done in cases of pregnancies resulting in live birth, in terms of their survival, physical morbidity and developmental delay.

Results

NTD was seen in 401/648 (62%) cases among the central nervous system malformations. More than half of the cases (54.1%) presented after 20 weeks of gestation, and 42.8% of the mothers were primiparous. Spina bifida was seen in 206 cases, anencephaly in 144, encephalocele in 43, whereas iniencephaly was seen in only eight cases. Associated anomalies were present in 51.2%. Only 19.0% cases were live-born, and merely 11% were alive beyond 2 years of age. Among types of spina bifida, lumbosacral meningomyocele was the most common (41.6%), whereas thoracic was the rarest (8.7%). After 2 years, physical disability was observed in more than half of the cases who survived.

Conclusions

NTD is one of the commonest malformations with high mortality, and the physical and mental sub-normality is high among those who survive.

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Correspondence to Manisha Kumar.

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There is no conflict of interest among authors.

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The research involves human participants, and ethical clearance has been taken from institute’s ethical committee.

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Informed consent was taken from the participants before conduction of the study.

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Manisha Kumar is a Professor in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India. Aayushi Hasija is a Senior Resident in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India. Nikita Garg is an Intern in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India. Ramya Mishra is a Resident in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India. S. C. Roy Chaudhary is a Director Professor and Head, Pediatric Surgery at KSCH, New Delhi, India.

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Kumar, M., Hasija, A., Garg, N. et al. Relative Prevalence and Outcome of Fetal Neural Tube Defect in a Developing Country. J Obstet Gynecol India 70, 195–201 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-020-01311-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-020-01311-x

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