Author/Authors :
Afshar, Mohammad birjand university of medical sciences - Department of Embryology, بيرجند, ايران , Golalipour, Mohammad J. golestan university of medical sciences - Department of Embryology and Histology, گرگان, ايران , Farhud, Dariush tehran university of medical sciences tums - Department of Human Genetics, تهران, ايران
Abstract :
Objectives: To investigate the rate of neural tube defects(NTDs) and their relation to gender, maternal age,consanguineous marriage, season, and drug consumptionin Birjand, Iran.Methods: This research was carried out on 16,785 liveor stillborn newborns in Birjand, Iran from April 1997 toDecember 2001.Results: The rate of NTDs was 2.97 per 1000. This ratewas 1.97 per 1000 in males, and 3.55 per 1000 in females.The rate of anencephaly was 1.37 per 1000, and spinaABSTRACTbifida was 0.88 per 1000. We found that 32% of motherswith affected newborns had taken drugs during the firsttrimester of pregnancy, 90% of mothers did not consumefolate before and during the first trimester, and 54% ofparents had consanguineous marriage.Conclusion: We concluded that folate deficiency, usageof drugs during pregnancy, and consanguineous marriagemay play a role of predisposition to NTD.
