BACKGROUND/AIM: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common birth defects, resulting in severe mortality and morbidity. In 1995, the supplementation of folic acid periconceptionally was officially recommended in Germany. The impact of the recommendations on the rate of NTDs was assessed. METHODS: An active surveillance system was established in the northern Rhine area. From 1996, all departments of obstetrics were asked to report cases of NTDs in all abortions, live births and stillbirths. Compliance with the recommendations was evaluated in a sample of mothers who delivered at the Department of Obstetrics of Düsseldorf University in 2001. RESULTS: From 1996-2003, 520 NTDs were reported. Compared to the rate of NTDs in 1996 (10.5/10,000), the average incidence in the years 1997 to 2003 dropped (6.8/10,000). The intake of folic acid, as recommended, was low among the general population (21.1%). CONCLUSION: Active surveillance data on the rate of NTDs are compatible with the maximum decrease of about 20% to be expected from data on the implementation of the recommendations. A much greater decrease in NTDs should be the challenge for the future.
BACKGROUND/AIM: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common birth defects, resulting in severe mortality and morbidity. In 1995, the supplementation of folic acid periconceptionally was officially recommended in Germany. The impact of the recommendations on the rate of NTDs was assessed. METHODS: An active surveillance system was established in the northern Rhine area. From 1996, all departments of obstetrics were asked to report cases of NTDs in all abortions, live births and stillbirths. Compliance with the recommendations was evaluated in a sample of mothers who delivered at the Department of Obstetrics of Düsseldorf University in 2001. RESULTS: From 1996-2003, 520 NTDs were reported. Compared to the rate of NTDs in 1996 (10.5/10,000), the average incidence in the years 1997 to 2003 dropped (6.8/10,000). The intake of folic acid, as recommended, was low among the general population (21.1%). CONCLUSION: Active surveillance data on the rate of NTDs are compatible with the maximum decrease of about 20% to be expected from data on the implementation of the recommendations. A much greater decrease in NTDs should be the challenge for the future.
Authors: Mohammed Z Seidahmed; Omar B Abdelbasit; Meeralebbae M Shaheed; Khalid A Alhussein; Abeer M Miqdad; Mohamed I Khalil; Naif M Al-Enazy; Mustafa A Salih Journal: Saudi Med J Date: 2014-12 Impact factor: 1.484
Authors: Ibrahim Zaganjor; Ahlia Sekkarie; Becky L Tsang; Jennifer Williams; Hilda Razzaghi; Joseph Mulinare; Joseph E Sniezek; Michael J Cannon; Jorge Rosenthal Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-04-11 Impact factor: 3.240