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The term spina bifida refers to a group of neural tube defects that result in malformations of the spinal cord and the surrounding vertebrae. Though the etiologies of spina bifida remain largely unknown, several risk factors have been identified, including feto-maternal characteristics.To discover possible underlying reasons for the increase of spina bifida and identify intervention targets, an investigation was undertaken comparing spina bifida-affected pregnancy notifications in 2008-2011 with notifications in the period 1991-1994.Characteristics and outcomes of births with spina bifida and pregnancy characteristics of mothers were recorded in the medical chart. Comparisons of pregnancies affected by a spina bifida in 2008-2011 were made with pregnancies affected by a spina bifida in the period 1991-1994. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Poisson regression and Chi-squared tests.From 1991 through 1994, the prevalence of identified spina bifida cases was equal to 0.3/10,000 births compared to 1.6/10,000 births in 2008-2011. This increase was statistically significant (P0.001). The prevalence of females was equal to 0.45 per 10,000 births over the period 1991-1994 compared to 1.88 per 10,000 births during the period 2008-2011. As for males, the prevalence was equal to 0.16 per 10,000 births in 1991-1994 compared to 1.88 in 2008-2011. The difference was statistically significant (P0.001) between both genders. A mother's age of over 30 years had significant impact on the emergence of spina bifida (P=0.02, OR=3.93, CI=1.23-12.47). As well as, maternal blood type was a significant risk factor for the appearance of spina bifida (P=0.008). Results also had shown that fetal weight and term, gestity and parity were significant risk factors for the occurrence of spina bifida (P0.05).In this study, results have been interpreted with caution due to analyses not being adjusted.This analysis highlighted areas where prevention efforts should be strengthened and surveillance data improved.

Neural tube defects are common major congenital anomalies that result from very early disruption in the development of the brain and spinal cord.We conducted an epidemiological study to determine the impact of some feto-maternal characteristics in the occurrence of NTD subtypes.Characteristics and outcomes of births with NTD and pregnancy characteristics of mothers over a period of twenty years (1991-2011) were recorded in the medical chart.From 1991 through 2011, 769 stillborns with NTD were delivered, yielding a prevalence of 2.02/10,000. The increase in NTD prevalences over these years was statistically significant (P = 0.000). In addition, differences between prevalences of NTD subtypes over season (P = 0.003) and between genders (P0.001) were significant. The highest frequency was noticed in winter with 3, 7 per 10,000 births among females. The difference in fetal term between subtypes was significant (P = 0.017). The probability to have a malformed fetus with a weight less than 1500 g was three times higher in myelomeningocele than in craniorachischisis, two times higher in anencephaly and encephalocele, but two times lower than rachischisis. Mothers with one gestation were two fold higher in anencephaly than in encephalocele. Nulliparous mothers' cases were significantly more likely to have NTD than uni- or multiparous mothers. O+ mother's blood type presented a significant risk factor and was significantly less common in myelomeningocele than in rachischisis, but three times higher than in craniorachischisis. Consanguinity was present in cases with rachischisis and was two times higher than in cases with anencephaly, and three times higher than in cases with encephalocele. In this study, the results have been interpreted with caution due to analyses not being adjusted.One of the main findings of the study is that there are many differences between NTD subtypes, which suggests that there may be etiologic differences between subtypes. This suggests that, although epidemiologic studies frequently do not distinguish between NTD subtypes in analyses, they should be analyzed separately when possible.