Pattern and Management of Neural Tube Defect in Cameroon

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of study was to determine the pattern and management of neural tube defects (NTD). Methodology: It was a hospital based descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study on patients who consulted and/or were admitted at the Douala General hospital for neural tube defects from January 2005 to April 2015. Results: A total of forty-nine (49) patients were enrolled. Males constituted 59.8% and females 40.2% giving a sex ratio of 1.5 in favour of males. Most of the parents of the patients (71.5%) had a low socio-economic status. Myelomeningocele was the most common type (80.4%) followed by 17.4% cases of meningocele and 2.2% cases of lipomeningocele. Three cases (3) of encephaloceles were seen during this period. The commonest site of these defects was the lumbosacral region (47.8%). Other sites included lumbar (19; 41.3%), sacral (3; 6.5%) and thoracolumbar (2; 4.3%) ones. About half of the patients (24; 48.9%) presented with ruptured lesions. Hydrocephalus was also recorded in 65.3% of patients. Talipes equinovarus and talipes calcaneovalgus were the most common associated orthopedic birth defects found. Surgical closure was done for 44 (89.9%) patients. Ventriculoperitoneal shunting was done in 78.1% of those who presented with hydrocephalus. Post-operative complications were more frequent in patients with ruptured lesions (P = 0.001). The most common post-operative complications were wound infections (22; 44.9%) and wound dehiscence (20; 40.8%). Conclusion: Lumbosacral Myelomeningocele was the most common type of NTD in our region. Low socio-economic status was a common risk factor.

Patterns and short term neurosurgical treatment outcomes of neonates with neural tube defects admitted to Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

“…Sixty-seven (61.5%) of them were males. This figure is almost close comparable with studies done in Cameroon [ 2 ], Rowel Pindi [ 14 ] and New Delhi [ 15 ] which are male predominance. But studies done in Northern Saudi Arabia 57.1% were females and 42.9% were males [ 16 ].…”

“…NTDs have a global prevalence ranging from 1 to 10 per 1000 live births [ 2 ], resulting in 300,000 to 400,000 infants born with conditions such as spina bifida and anencephaly each year. Despite being a significant cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, NTDs are preventable.…”

“…Despite being a significant cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, NTDs are preventable. Anencephalic children typically do not survive beyond birth, while those with meningocele and myelomeningocele have higher survival rates due to medical and surgical intervention [ 2 , 3 ].…”

“…To effectively manage and supervise a child and their family dealing with NTD, a multidisciplinary team approach is necessary [ 2 ]. This team should include surgeons, physicians, and therapists, with one individual acting as the advocate and coordinator of the treatment program.…”

Neural Tube Defects and Associated Factors among Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia

“…Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from previous literature. 17,[36][37][38][39] The questionnaire was first prepared in English and then translated into local languages (Amharic and Afan Oromo) and back into English for consistency by different language experts. Data were collected by 2 neonatal nurses and 2 pediatricians using face-to-face interviews with maternally related variables (sociodemographic characteristics, labor and delivery-related factors, obstetric and maternal lifestyle, and clinical symptoms of newborns) and physical examination of the newborn by a pediatrician and a thorough review of medical records to obtain birth weight and condition of the newborn before admission.…”