WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Dr. Balsam M. Sheet (M.B.Ch.B /F.I.C.M.S (FM), Dr. Shaimaa S. Al-hyalee M.B.Ch.B./F.I.C.M.S (FM) and Dr. Omaya F. Qassed

ABSTRACT

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common severe disabling human congenital defects in the world in which an opening in the spinal cord or brain remains from early stage in human development. Aim: To identify the epidemiological risk factors of neural tube defect in Mosul city by taking specific objectives such as history of antenatal care of mother & if she was taken folic acid, Age, parity, Residency, education & gender of the neonates. Patients and Methods: This study done in neonatal care unites in Mosul hospitals for neonates from 1st of January 2016 to the end of the June 2016. The number of neonates with neural tube defects was (60) neonates, & during the same period another (60) healthy neonatesfrom the same hospitals was taken for comparison. The information s was collected through interview of the mothers. Results: This study revealed that neonates with low birth weight, from low socioeconomic status are more prone to have NTDs with (OR=3.2, 3), also mothers with frequent visit to antenatal care during pregnancy revealed protective factor against NTD with (OR=3.5). The study shows a significant association between residence and occurrence of NTD were mothers' lives in rural area 3 times more prone to deliver baby with NTD than lives in urban areas. The occurrence of NTDs are higher in mothers who had family history of the disease (P=0.007). There is a great role for vitamins especially folic acid in preventing or decreasing NTDs when taken before or during the first months of pregnancy (P=0.00, OR=5.3), also mothers who had hyperthermia in the first months of pregnancy are more prone to had neonate with neural tube defects. Conclusions: The present study concluded that there is significant association of mothers lived in low socioeconomic state, rural areas, poor ANC in 1st trimester and small gestational age less than 37 weeks with increase risk of born baby with neural tube defect, also mothers who had born baby with NTD previously and have family history of NTD, and mothers who develop hyperthermia during pregnancy was more prone to deliver baby with NTD. On other hand mother who had frequent visit to ANC and who receive folic acid and vitamins during 1st trimester of pregnancy protect against deliver baby with NTD.

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