Burden of pediatric neural tube defects at a referral medical center in Tanzania.

PurposeThis project aimed to describe the current status and future needs for the management of pediatric neural tube defects (NTDs) at a referral center in Mwanza, Tanzania, and thus can offer a model for other affected areas in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsA descriptive study design was used to collect and describe data from pediatric patients with NTDs admitted to and treated at Bugando Medical Center in collaboration with Mwanangu Development Tanzania in Mwanza, Tanzania.ResultsBetween January 2018 and August 2022, a total number of 3160 children with NTDs presented to a referral medical center. Thirty-one percent of the patients were from Mwanza, 13% from Geita, 11% from Tabora, 10% from Simiyu, and the rest came from more distant regions of Tanzania. Hydrocephalus and spina bifida were the most common NTD diagnoses recorded that required ventriculoperitoneal shunt interventions in the neurosurgical services.ConclusionEarly neural development disorders are common in sub-Saharan Africa, with spina bifida and hydrocephalus being the most prominent NTDs. The treatment and special education of affected children and adolescents are major public health challenges. As the development of protocols and guidelines for neurosurgical procedures is needed to improve the burden of pediatric hydrocephalus in sub-Saharan Africa, a report on how this is done simply, practically, and effectively here at a referral medical center in Tanzania may benefit countries with similar health issues.This study was approved by the Regional Ethic Review Board in Mwanza Tanzania (Certificate No. CREC/682b/2023).