Neural tube defects in the Czech Republic during 1961-1999: incidences, prenatal diagnosis and prevalences according to maternal age

Abstract

We set out to present the incidences of the neural tube defects (anencephaly, spina bifida and encephalocele) and to document maternal age distribution and the influence of the prenatal diagnostics on incidences in neonates. We also analysed maternal age as a risk factor for the defects studied. This was a retrospective epidemiological study of neural tube defects using data from the population-based register of congenital malformations in the Czech Republic over the 1961-99 period. The total number of neural tube defects detected both pre- and postnatally was 4696 in this period (anencephaly 1857, spina bifida 2420 and encephalocele 419 cases). In this period, a significant decrease (due to improved prenatal diagnostic efficiency) in the above-mentioned defects occurred in the Czech Republic. No statistically significant correlation between any of the particular defects and the maternal age was revealed. However, neural tube defects as a whole show some correlation, the probability of these defects occurring being higher than expected in 15- and 32-year-old mothers. By application of the two-sided 95% CI, statistically significant correlation was found in 15-, 35- and 39-year cohorts; in other age-groups above the age of 32 years this correlation was neither confirmed nor rejected. In this study, maternal age as a risk factor for the origin of neural tube defects has not been statistically confirmed. However, probability estimate makes this correlation possible. Statistical methods in use reveal the risk for these defects (regarding their relative incidences) only in maternal age groups of 15, 35 and 39 years.

The Role of the Pediatric Surgeon in the Perinatal Multidisciplinary Team

“…The incidence of congenital anomalies was 1.9 %. Genital-renal malformations were the most frequently occurring anomalies of the diagnosed congenital anomalies in our community (36.5 %) [1,18,19]. Prenatal pediatric surgical consultations can have a significant impact on the perinatal management of fetuses with genitourinary, thoracic, gastrointestinal and multiple congenital anomalies by providing obstetric colleagues and families with valuable information on the surgical management.…”

The incidence of neural tube defects in Norway and the Arkhangelskaja Oblast in Russia and the association with maternal age

“…Both genetic and environmental factors are associated with the risk of these defects (4, 5). One of the factors that has been investigated is maternal age, but the findings have been inconsistent and its role in the etiology of NTD is still unclear (1, 6–11).…”

Early Neonatal Mortality among Babies Born with Spina Bifida in Finland (2000–2014)

“…Within Europe, studies from Denmark, Poland, Norway, and United Kingdom examined mortality in the postearly neonatal phase among individuals with spina bifida and hence not comparable to current study findings. 28,29,[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] The impact of mandatory folic acid fortification of staples on spina bifida prevalence and mortality is relevant for discussion in the context of the current study. There were significant reductions in the prevalence of spina bifida in the United States after food fortification with folic acid.…”