Spectrum of neural tube defect in fetal autopsies

According to the March of Dimes (MOD) global report on birth defects, 7.9 million births occur annually worldwide with serious birth defects. The prevalence of congenital anomalies in India is 6-7%. Worldwide, NTDs affect 323,904 infants with a prevalence rate of 0.5 to 11 per 1000 births. Although prenatal sonography has been developed in recent years, the definitive diagnosis of fatal fetal malformations is best made by fetal autopsy. An autopsy not only confirms, but also provides additional information and is useful in advising parents about the risks and prevention of similar malformations in future pregnancies. The aim of the study is to study the spectrum of Neural tube defects in foetal autopsies.

This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Hassan Institute of Medical sciences, Hassan, Karnataka, India. 97 fetal autopsies were performed between July 2010 to June 2020, out of which 39 cases had CNS malformations. 36 cases with NTD were included in this study. All the essential clinical data were retrieved from the autopsy forms and case files. In every case, the location and morphology of the NTD and associated morphologic anomalies were noted. The statistical analysis was performed by using frequency and percentage using SPSS version 24.

Out of 36 cases, the majority of the cases were Spina bifida (27.78%) followed by Anencephaly (25%).

Congenital disorders are a great public health issue in developing countries. The multidisciplinary approaches to fetal malformations have ever increasing importance in prenatal medicine. Fetal autopsy has a vital role in diagnosis of congenital malformations and detecting the cause of death.