OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of prenatal diagnosis on the birth prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Atlanta during 1990 through 1991. METHODS: Live-born and stillborn infants with NTDs who were at least 20 weeks' gestation were ascertained by the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP), a population-based birth defects registry. Prenatally diagnosed NTD-affected pregnancies were ascertained from the four perinatal centers and the three genetic laboratories operating in Atlanta during 1990 through 1991. Fetal death certificates were also reviewed for potential cases. RESULTS: During 1990 through 1991, MACDP ascertained 59 NTD cases, for a birth prevalence of 0.77/1000 live births. During this period, an additional 28 NTD-affected pregnancies were detected prenatally and terminated before 20 weeks' gestation. The adjusted NTD rate during 1990 through 1991, which includes prenatally diagnosed cases, was 1.13/1000 live births. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal diagnosis is making a substantial impact on the birth prevalence of NTDs in Atlanta. However, since NTD rates in Atlanta were 2 to 2.5 per 1000 live births in 1970, prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy does not completely account for the declining rate of NTDs.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of prenatal diagnosis on the birth prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Atlanta during 1990 through 1991. METHODS: Live-born and stillborn infants with NTDs who were at least 20 weeks' gestation were ascertained by the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP), a population-based birth defects registry. Prenatally diagnosed NTD-affected pregnancies were ascertained from the four perinatal centers and the three genetic laboratories operating in Atlanta during 1990 through 1991. Fetal death certificates were also reviewed for potential cases. RESULTS: During 1990 through 1991, MACDP ascertained 59 NTD cases, for a birth prevalence of 0.77/1000 live births. During this period, an additional 28 NTD-affected pregnancies were detected prenatally and terminated before 20 weeks' gestation. The adjusted NTD rate during 1990 through 1991, which includes prenatally diagnosed cases, was 1.13/1000 live births. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal diagnosis is making a substantial impact on the birth prevalence of NTDs in Atlanta. However, since NTD rates in Atlanta were 2 to 2.5 per 1000 live births in 1970, prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy does not completely account for the declining rate of NTDs.
Authors: Margot I Van Allen; Erin Boyle; Paul Thiessen; Deborah McFadden; Douglas Cochrane; G Keith Chambers; Sylvie Langlois; Patricia Stathers; Beverly Irwin; Elizabeth Cairns; Patrick MacLeod; Marie-France Delisle; Soo-Hong Uh Journal: J Appl Genet Date: 2006 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Candice Y Johnson; Margaret A Honein; W Dana Flanders; Penelope P Howards; Godfrey P Oakley; Sonja A Rasmussen Journal: Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol Date: 2012-10-25
Authors: Callie A M Atta; Kirsten M Fiest; Alexandra D Frolkis; Nathalie Jette; Tamara Pringsheim; Christine St Germaine-Smith; Thilinie Rajapakse; Gilaad G Kaplan; Amy Metcalfe Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2015-11-12 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Xiaohong Li; Jun Zhu; Yanping Wang; Dezhi Mu; Li Dai; Guangxuan Zhou; Qi Li; He Wang; Mingrong Li; Juan Liang Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2013-02-22 Impact factor: 3.295