Retrospective evaluation and one year monitoring of 58 patients according to neural tube defect etiology

Abstract

Aim: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of diseases caused by genetic and environmental factors; however, their complete etiology remains unknown. Folate defi ciency, medications, maternal diseases and a low socioeconomic status, as well as genetic factors, are known risk factors for NTD. The purpose of this study was to determine possible etiologic factors of NTD and to evaluate patients after 1 year of monitoring . Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 58 patients who were operated as neonates at our hospital in 2017 . Results: Of 58 patients, 60.3% were female and 39.7% were male. The frequency of birth abnormalities was higher in mothers aged > 35 years. Overall, 56.9% of the pregnancies occurred during the hot months and 43.1% during the cold months according to the neurulation period. Encephalocele was detected in 3.4%, myelomeningocele in 31% and myeloschisis in 63.8% of patients. Of all patients, 60.3% were dia gnosed with hydrocephalus either at birth or at a 1-year follow-up, and they wore a shunt . Conclusion: The results indicate that NTD incidence is higher among females and exerts a high myeloschisis frequency. Other risk factors include kin marriage, family history of NTD, a maternal age outside the range of 19–34 years and mothers with 0 Rh+ blood type. Furthermore, there was a high incidence of abnormalities in the urinary and other systems, which should be considered during patients’ monitoring and surgery. Additionally, there may be a correlation between a sac size and hydrocephalus as well as between myeloschisis and a risk of hydrocephalus.