Incidence of neural tube defects of Lucknow over a 10 year period from 1982-1991.

Open neural tube defects (NTD) in babies, occurring over a 10 yr period (1982-91), in four major maternity hospitals of Lucknow, were identified to analyse the incidence of this disorder. The overall incidence of NTD was found to be 3.9/1000. It was significantly higher in the teaching hospital compared to non-teaching hospitals. But there was no significant difference in the incidence of NTD between the Government and Private hospitals. During the decade (1982-91) under study there was no decline in NTD births. These data could serve as base-line for the incidence of NTD in north India, as NTD is expected to decline with the introduction of folic acid for the prevention of NTD.