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The Changing Epidemiology of Neural Tube Defects, United STates, 1968-1989 Am J Dis Child 146:857-861, Yen,I.H.,et al, 1992 See this aricle in Pubmed Article Abstract Nationwide,neural tube defect rates have declined from 1.3 per 1000 births in 1970 to 0.6 per 100 births in 1989.In Atlanta,neural tube defect rates have declined from 2.0 per 1000 births in 1968 to 0.6 per 1000 births in 1989.Several changes in the epidemiologic characteristics of neural tube defects were observed:(1)the proportion of spina bifida cases has increased;(2)the proportion of neural tube defect cases compared with the proportion of other unrelated defects has increased;(3)the race ratio of whites to other races for isolated neural tube defect cases has declined in Atlanta;and(4)the rate of isolated neural tube defects in females has also decreased.Conclusions.-The declining rates of neural tube defects can be partially explained by increased widespread prenatal diagnostic techniques,strongly suggesting the role of environmental factors in neural tube defects.In particular,the use of multivitamins and folic acid to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects needs further evaluation. Nevertheless,the changing clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of cases over time points to the etiologic heterogeneity of these conditions.

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(click to filter results - removes previous filter) anencephaly congenital deformities congenital malformation epidemiology of neurology folic acid malformation,CNS,congenital neural tube defect spina bifida vitamin,multiple

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