Prevalence of Neural Tube Defects in Yasuj, South West Iran

Neural tube defects (NTDs), anencephaly, meningocele, and meningoencephalocele, are of the most common congenital anomalies of the central nervous system caused by defects in closure of the neural cord in the third and fourth gestational weeks. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of NTDs among the total births in clinics under supervision of Yasuj University of medical sciences, Yasuj, southwest Iran. All newborns with NTDs who were delivered in obstetrics and gynecology hospital wards of Yasuj University of medical sciences, south west Iran, from April 2005 to March 2011 were included. The mothers with NTD deliveries were also compared with the mothers with physically healthy deliveries for blood indices. After an interview a form was filled regarding their demographic information such as maternal age, address, gestational age, mother''s blood group, blood indices, and due date of delivery. Of the 14034 infants who were born in hospitals of Yasuj university of medical sciences, south west Iran, during the 6years period of this study, 68 (36 girls and 24 boys; P = 0.46) had NTDs. 59 (86.8%) infants had anencephaly and 9 (13.2%) had other types of NTDs. The prevalence of NTDs was 4.84/1000 birth during the 6years period. No significant difference was found between the groups regarding the other demographic variables and blood indices. The prevalence of NTDs in Yasuj, is much higher compared with previous reports. This warning sign should be beard in mind by policy makers to address the related etiological factors and prevention plans.