UNLABELLED: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and early outcome of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Malaysia. This prospective study included all neonates with NTDs (spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocoele) born in 2009 in 32 Malaysian hospitals in the Malaysian National Neonatal Network. The prevalence of NTDs was 0.42 per 1000 live births, being highest among the indigenous people of Sarawak (1.09 per 1000 live births) and lowest among Malaysians of Chinese descent (0.09 per 1000 live births). The most common type of NTDs was anencephaly (0.19 per 1000 live births), followed by spina bifida (0.11 per 1000 live births) and encephalocoele (0.07 per 1000 live births). Majority of the infants with anencephaly (94.5%, n = 51), 45.8% (n = 11) with encephalocoele and 9.5% (n = 4) with spina bifida died. The median duration of hospital stay was 4 (range: 0-161) days. CONCLUSION: NTDs were common in Malaysia. Mortality was high. Long-term monitoring of NTD prevalence following folic fortification of food is recommended.
UNLABELLED: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and early outcome of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Malaysia. This prospective study included all neonates with NTDs (spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocoele) born in 2009 in 32 Malaysian hospitals in the Malaysian National Neonatal Network. The prevalence of NTDs was 0.42 per 1000 live births, being highest among the indigenous people of Sarawak (1.09 per 1000 live births) and lowest among Malaysians of Chinese descent (0.09 per 1000 live births). The most common type of NTDs was anencephaly (0.19 per 1000 live births), followed by spina bifida (0.11 per 1000 live births) and encephalocoele (0.07 per 1000 live births). Majority of the infants with anencephaly (94.5%, n = 51), 45.8% (n = 11) with encephalocoele and 9.5% (n = 4) with spina bifida died. The median duration of hospital stay was 4 (range: 0-161) days. CONCLUSION: NTDs were common in Malaysia. Mortality was high. Long-term monitoring of NTD prevalence following folic fortification of food is recommended.
Authors: Adibah Sahmat; Renuka Gunasekaran; Siti W Mohd-Zin; Lohis Balachandran; Meow-Keong Thong; Julia P Engkasan; Dharmendra Ganesan; Zaliha Omar; Abu Bakar Azizi; Azlina Ahmad-Annuar; Noraishah M Abdul-Aziz Journal: Front Pediatr Date: 2017-11-09 Impact factor: 3.418
Authors: Siti W Mohd-Zin; Ahmed I Marwan; Mohamad K Abou Chaar; Azlina Ahmad-Annuar; Noraishah M Abdul-Aziz Journal: Scientifica (Cairo) Date: 2017-02-13
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