HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Are encephaloceles neural tube defects?

AbstractOBJECTIVE:
Encephalocele is classified as a neural tube defect, but questions have been raised regarding whether its epidemiological characteristics are similar to those of other neural tube defects.
DESIGN:
We compared characteristics of temporal trends in, and the impact of folic acid grain fortification on, the prevalence of encephalocele, spina bifida, and anencephaly using data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program, a population-based birth defects surveillance system. Prevalences of encephalocele, spina bifida, and anencephaly were compared by maternal age, gender, race, birth weight, ascertainment period (1968-1981, 1982-1993, or 1994-2002), and fortification period (1994-1996 [prefortification] and 1998-2002 [postfortification]) using prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Temporal trends were assessed using Poisson and negative binomial regression models.
RESULTS:
Prevalence rates of encephalocele (n = 167), spina bifida (n = 650), and anencephaly (n = 431) were 1.4, 5.5, and 3.7 per 10 000 live births, respectively. Encephalocele was similar to anencephaly in showing an increased prevalence among girls and multiple gestation pregnancies and to spina bifida and anencephaly in an annual prevalence decrease between 1968 and 2002 (-1.2% for encephalocele, -4.2% for spina bifida, and -3.6% for anencephaly). With fortification, prevalence decreased for spina bifida but not significantly for encephalocele or anencephaly.
CONCLUSIONS:
Encephalocele shows more similarities to spina bifida or anencephaly than it shows differences with respect to characteristics, temporal trend, and impact of fortification. Additional studies should be done to explore the etiologic heterogeneity of encephalocele using better markers of folate status and a wider range of risk factors.
AuthorsCourtney A Rowland, Adolfo Correa, Janet D Cragan, Clinton J Alverson
JournalPediatrics (Pediatrics) Vol. 118 Issue 3 Pg. 916-23 (Sep 2006) ISSN: 1098-4275 [Electronic] United States
PMID16950981 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Folic Acid
Topics
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anencephaly (classification, epidemiology, prevention & control)
  • Encephalocele (classification, epidemiology, prevention & control)
  • Female
  • Folic Acid (therapeutic use)
  • Food, Fortified
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Maternal Age
  • Neural Tube Defects (classification, epidemiology, prevention & control)
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: