Survival and disability in a cohort of neural tube defect births in Dublin, Ireland

Awareness of Periconceptional Folic Acid in Parents of Children Affected by Spina Bifida - A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Spina bifida is a congenital malformation involving an open vertebral column resulting from failure in neural tube closure. It is among the most frequently occurring birth defects, observed in 1-3 cases per 1,000 live births worldwide. Conventionally requiring surgical repair, it can cause severe neurologic and musculoskeletal complications. However, consumption of prophylactic folic acid in mothers, at least 3 months before to 12 weeks after conception (periconceptional) has been shown to reduce the incidence of spina bifida by approximately 75%. This makes ascertaining parental understanding of such benefits critical. Therefore, this study provides baseline information on the awareness of periconceptional folic acid among parents whose children previously underwent surgical repair of spina bifida defects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study subjects constituted 80 parents whose biological children had undergone surgical repair of spina bifida defects from 2014 to 2021 at a large paediatric tertiary care centre in South India. Upon providing informed consent, the subjects answered a cross-sectional telephonic survey containing 21 questions aimed at exposing their understanding of folic acid and its association with spina bifida.

RESULTS

None of the mothers had consumed folic acid before conception. However, 75% of them had consumed it as prescribed by their obstetrician during the first trimester of pregnancy. Finally, only 35% of them were aware of its role in preventing spina bifida.

CONCLUSION

The awareness of periconceptional folic acid and its preventive role in spina bifida was low amongst parents whose children were once treated for same congenital abnormality.

Determinants of neural tube defects among newborns in public referral hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious brain and spine birth defects. Although NTDs are primarily pregnancy complications, such as abortion and stillbirth, they also contribute to under-five morbidity and mortality, as well as long-term disability and psychological impact. Despite these negative outcomes, the determinants of NTDs are not widely studied in Ethiopia, particularly in the country's east. As a result, we sought to identify the risk factors for NTDs in neonates born in public referral hospitals in eastern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A facility-based unmatched case-control study was carried out at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Sheik Hassen Yabare Jigjiga University Referral Hospital in Eastern Ethiopia. We included 59 cases identified in the selected facilities between September 10, 2021, and February 5, 2022, and 118 control neonates, with a case-to-control ratio of 1:2. Data were gathered through the use of interviewer-administered questionnaires and medical record review. To identify determinant factors of NTDs, a multivariable logistic regression model was used, which included all predictor variables from the bivariable analysis. The results were reported using an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

In total, 59 cases of NTDs were identified out of 2915 live birth total births registered in the two hospitals, making the incidence of NTDs 202.4/10,000 births. In the final model analysis, determinant factors such as gender of newborn [AOR = 2.97; 95%CI(1.27, 6.92)], having no history of antenatal care[AOR = 4.45;95%CI(1.30,15.20)], having a poor food consumption score (AOR = 3.38;95% CI;1.06,10.72), having history of monotonous diet consumption (AOR = 4.80; 95%CI: 1.09, 9.08; P = 0.038), and coffee consumption of three or more cups per day during pregnancy (AOR = 3.84:95% CI: 1.23, 11.97) were statistically associated with NTDs.

CONCLUSION

Modifiable and non-modifiable determinants were identified as major contributors of neural tube defect in this study. Early screening, dietary intervention counseling to increase consumption of a healthy diet, coffee consumption reduction, and pre-pregnancy supplementation programs should be developed to reduce NTDs in Ethiopia.

Association of maternal body mass index with intellectual disability risk

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to investigate the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) in early pregnancy and children's intellectual disability (ID) risk in the absence of chromosomal disorders, neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis, taking adverse birth outcomes, maternal hypertension/diabetes and maternal socioeconomic status into consideration.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study of singletons without common genetic defects born in Sweden during 1992-2006, and followed them from birth until 31 December 2014 (n=1 186 836). Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the association between maternal BMI in early pregnancy and the risk of offspring's ID.

RESULTS

The risk of ID was higher in children born to mothers who were underweight (HR=1.21, 95% CI=1.07 to 1.36), overweight (HR=1.28, 95% CI=1.21 to 1.34) or had obesity class I (HR=1.63, 95% CI=1.53 to 1.74), obesity class II (HR=2.08, 95% CI=1.88 to 2.30) and obesity class III (HR=2.31, 95% CI=1.46 to 3.65) than in children born to normal weight mothers. Results remained consistent after excluding children with adverse birth outcome or born to mothers with gestational hypertension/diabetes. Analysis stratified by maternal education and annual household income showed that the association between maternal underweight and children's ID risk was attenuated among children of mothers with tertiary education or with high income.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that maternal underweight or overweight/obesity in early pregnancy was associated with the development of ID in their offspring. This association was independent of the effect of adverse birth outcomes and maternal hypertension/diabetes. High socioeconomic status may attenuate the risk of ID among children of underweight mothers. This study highlights the importance of improving health education before conception to reduce children's ID risk.

Neonatal and infant mortality associated with spina bifida: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

A systematic review was conducted in high-income country settings to analyse: (i) spina bifida neonatal and IMRs over time, and (ii) clinical and socio-demographic factors associated with mortality in the first year after birth in infants affected by spina bifida.

Data sources

PubMed, Embase, Ovid, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched from 1^st January, 1990 to 31^st August, 2020 to review evidence.

Study selection

Population-based studies that provided data for spina bifida infant mortality and case fatality according to clinical and socio-demographical characteristics were included. Studies were excluded if they were conducted solely in tertiary centres. Spina bifida occulta or syndromal spina bifida were excluded where possible.

Data extraction and synthesis

Independent reviewers extracted data and assessed their quality using MOOSE guideline. Pooled mortality estimates were calculated using random-effects (+/- fixed effects) models meta-analyses. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Cochrane Q test and I² statistics. Meta-regression was performed to examine the impact of year of birth cohort on spina bifida infant mortality.

Results

Twenty studies met the full inclusion criteria with a total study population of over 30 million liveborn infants and approximately 12,000 spina bifida-affected infants. Significant declines in spina bifida associated infant and neonatal mortality rates (e.g. 4.76% decrease in IMR per 100, 000 live births per year) and case fatality (e.g. 2.70% decrease in infant case fatality per year) were consistently observed over time. Preterm birth (RR 4.45; 2.30–8.60) and low birthweight (RR 4.77; 2.67–8.55) are the strongest risk factors associated with increased spina bifida infant case fatality.

Significance

Significant declines in spina bifida associated infant/neonatal mortality and case fatality were consistently observed, advances in treatment and mandatory folic acid food fortification both likely play an important role. Particular attention is warranted from clinicians caring for preterm and low birthweight babies affected by spina bifida.

Neural Tube Defects and Associated Factors among Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia

Background:

Neural tube defects are a major public health problem and substantially contribute to morbidity and mortality, particularly in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. There are a paucity of data on the magnitude and associated factors of neural tube defects in Ethiopia, particularly in the study setting.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the magnitude of neural tube defects and associated factors among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia.

Methods:

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was employed from October 2019 to January 2020. A total of 420 newborn-mother pairs were included consecutively. Data were collected using a face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire and clinical examination. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using the statistical package for Social Sciences version 20.0 software. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the associated factors. A p-value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

The magnitude of neural tube defects was 5.71% (95% CI: 3.5-7.9). Approximately 83.5% of infants had spinal bifida and 16.5% anencephaly. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, preterm birth (32-34 weeks) (AOR= 3.84; 95% CI: 2.1,10.7), low birth weight (1000-1500 g) (AOR = 4.74; 95% CI: 1.8, 9.1), 1500-2500 g (AOR = 3.01; 95% CI: 2. 1, 13.2), maternal coffee consumption (AOR = 11.2; 95% CI: 3.1, 23.7), a history of abortion or stillbirth (AOR = 9.6; 95% CI:7.6,19.4), radiation exposure (AOR = 5.0; 95% CI:1.6,14.3), and intake of anticonvulsant drugs during pregnancy (AOR = 4.75; 95% CI: 1.5,16.2) were factors associated with neural tube defects.

Conclusion:

In this study, the burden of neural tube defects was 5.71% among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, which was a public health concern. Increased attention to the monitoring of neural tube defects in eastern Ethiopia is crucial to improve birth outcomes in the study setting.

A 2019 global update on folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly

BACKGROUND

Mandatory folic acid fortification of staples is a proven intervention to prevent spina bifida and anencephaly, two life-threatening and disabling neural tube defects. We estimated the global proportion of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly (FAP SBA) prevented through mandatory folic acid fortification of wheat and/or maize flour in 2019.

METHODS

Using data from the Global Fortification Data Exchange, we identified countries with mandatory fortification policies that required at least 1.0 ppm folic acid be added to wheat and/or maize flour and had information on percentage of industrially milled flour that is fortified. We built FAP SBA prevention models assuming mandatory folic acid fortification at 200 μg/day of folic acid fully protects against FAP SBA and would lower the prevalence neural tube defects to 0.5 per 1,000 live births.

RESULTS

In 2019, 56 countries met our criteria for mandatory folic acid fortification of wheat (n = 56 countries) and/or maize (n = 15 countries) flour and with complete data for our modeling. Overall, our prevention model estimated that 65,380 FAP SBA cases were prevented in 2019 through folic acid fortification of wheat and/or maize flour. We estimated the current global prevention proportion of all preventable FAP SBA cases worldwide to be at 23% of total possible prevention.

CONCLUSION

Global prevention efforts for FAP SBA are slow and have stalled. Mandatory fortification should be urgently implemented in all countries to prevent epidemics of FAP SBA, and to achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals for year 2030 by reducing child mortality due to preventable FAP SBA.

Long-term survival of children born with congenital anomalies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies

BACKGROUND

Following a reduction in global child mortality due to communicable diseases, the relative contribution of congenital anomalies to child mortality is increasing. Although infant survival of children born with congenital anomalies has improved for many anomaly types in recent decades, there is less evidence on survival beyond infancy. We aimed to systematically review, summarise, and quantify the existing population-based data on long-term survival of individuals born with specific major congenital anomalies and examine the factors associated with survival.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Seven electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ProQuest Natural, and Biological Science Collections), reference lists, and citations of the included articles for studies published 1 January 1995 to 30 April 2020 were searched. Screening for eligibility, data extraction, and quality appraisal were performed in duplicate. We included original population-based studies that reported long-term survival (beyond 1 year of life) of children born with a major congenital anomaly with the follow-up starting from birth that were published in the English language as peer-reviewed papers. Studies on congenital heart defects (CHDs) were excluded because of a recent systematic review of population-based studies of CHD survival. Meta-analysis was performed to pool survival estimates, accounting for trends over time. Of 10,888 identified articles, 55 (n = 367,801 live births) met the inclusion criteria and were summarised narratively, 41 studies (n = 54,676) investigating eight congenital anomaly types (spina bifida [n = 7,422], encephalocele [n = 1,562], oesophageal atresia [n = 6,303], biliary atresia [n = 3,877], diaphragmatic hernia [n = 6,176], gastroschisis [n = 4,845], Down syndrome by presence of CHD [n = 22,317], and trisomy 18 [n = 2,174]) were included in the meta-analysis. These studies covered birth years from 1970 to 2015. Survival for children with spina bifida, oesophageal atresia, biliary atresia, diaphragmatic hernia, gastroschisis, and Down syndrome with an associated CHD has significantly improved over time, with the pooled odds ratios (ORs) of surviving per 10-year increase in birth year being OR = 1.34 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.24-1.46), OR = 1.50 (95% CI 1.38-1.62), OR = 1.62 (95% CI 1.28-2.05), OR = 1.57 (95% CI 1.37-1.81), OR = 1.24 (95% CI 1.02-1.5), and OR = 1.99 (95% CI 1.67-2.37), respectively (p < 0.001 for all, except for gastroschisis [p = 0.029]). There was no observed improvement for children with encephalocele (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.01, p = 0.19) and children with biliary atresia surviving with native liver (OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.88-1.03, p = 0.26). The presence of additional structural anomalies, low birth weight, and earlier year of birth were the most commonly reported predictors of reduced survival for any congenital anomaly type. The main limitation of the meta-analysis was the small number of studies and the small size of the cohorts, which limited the predictive capabilities of the models resulting in wide confidence intervals.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis summarises estimates of long-term survival associated with major congenital anomalies. We report a significant improvement in survival of children with specific congenital anomalies over the last few decades and predict survival estimates up to 20 years of age for those born in 2020. This information is important for the planning and delivery of specialised medical, social, and education services and for counselling affected families. This trial was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42017074675).

Modeling shows high potential of folic acid-fortified salt to accelerate global prevention of major neural tube defects

BACKGROUND

We estimated the global proportion of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly (FAP SBA) potentially prevented through mandatory double fortification of iodized salt with folic acid.

METHODS

Using United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Global Fortification Data Exchange (GFDx) data sets, we modeled country-specific number of FAP SBA cases prevented annually using (a) current coverage of the salt in households worldwide and (b) expected daily amount of folic acid intake from folic acid-fortified iodized salt. Our evidence-based modeling strategy assumed mandatory folic acid fortification of salt at 20 ppm, and that at 200 μg/day intake of folic acid through fortified salt, should achieve 100% prevention of all FAP SBA in countries.

RESULTS

One hundred countries that have data on percent of households consuming iodized salt globally were examined; 55 of them have ≥80% households consuming iodized salt. Our model estimated approximately 180,000 cases of FAP SBA could be prevented in these 100 countries through folic acid-fortified iodized salt, and 150,000 of them would be in countries where ≥80% households consuming iodized salt that can be potentially fortified with folic acid. Salt fortification with folic acid could contribute to the prevention of about 65% global FAP SBA cases annually.

CONCLUSIONS

Our evidence-based model shows that there is high potential to prevent FAP SBA using folic acid-fortified iodized salt. Prevention will reach countries where there is a limited reach of centrally processed folic acid-fortified wheat or maize flour. If this intervention is made feasible by the salt industry, it can accelerate the prevention of FAP SBA significantly.

Periconceptional folic acid supplement use among women of reproductive age and its determinants in central rural Germany: Results from a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD) has not decreased in Germany despite longstanding recommendations for folic acid supplementation. To examine the prevalence of periconceptional folic acid supplement use and associated factors among German women of reproductive age.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey was conducted in hospital-based maternity units in rural Germany. A sample of 1,004 women of reproductive age, either pregnant or in their early postpartum period, took interviewer/self-administered paper-based survey questionnaire. Prevalence of periconceptional folic acid supplement use was assessed, where periconception was defined as 1 month prior to and 3 months post-conception. Prevalence odds ratios (POR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using crude and adjusted logistic regression analysis were estimated to examine determinants of folic acid supplement use.

RESULTS

Prevalence of folic acid supplement use was 41.5% (95% CI: 37.7%, 45.7%). Multivariable analysis showed lack of educational qualifications, unplanned pregnancy, later diagnosis of pregnancy, increased parity, and not having an awareness of importance of folic acid for optimal pregnancy outcomes were associated with not taking periconceptional folic acid supplements. Books, doctors, friends, media, were sources of information.

CONCLUSION

Periconceptional folic acid is sub-optimal in rural Germany and thus failing to prevent NTDs. Targeted promotion of folic acid supplement use should be conducted periodically by gynecologists and primary care physicians during annual medical screenings. Mandatory folic acid fortification of staple foods is a complementary approach to overcome limitations of individual behaviors of folic acid supplement intake, and should be considered as it has been proven effective in multiple countries.

Association between maternal pregestational diabetes mellitus and spina bifida: A population-based case-control study, Finland, 2000-2014

BACKGROUND

Maternal pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) is a known risk factor for neural tube defects. We examined the association between maternal PGDM and spina bifida in the offspring using PGDM status from medical records in Finland.

METHODS

We conducted a nationally representative, multiregistry, population-based case-control study in Finland. Cases were included if they were live or stillborn infants and diagnosed with spina bifida and delivered between years 2000 and 2014 in Finland. Controls were Finnish infants without spina bifida or other major structural birth defects and delivered during the same time period as cases. Clinical and demographic data were obtained by linking multiple national health registers and census. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for PGDM were estimated using logistic regression analysis. Interaction by maternal obesity was examined.

RESULTS

Our study included 181 spina bifida cases (61% isolated) and 876,672 controls. Overall, 2.2% percent of all case, and 0.5% of control mothers, had PGDM during pregnancy. Maternal PGDM was significantly associated with an increased odds of spina bifida (adjusted OR 4.35; 95% CI 1.37, 13.82). A similar association was found in our subanalysis on isolated spina bifida cases (adjusted OR 4.41; 95% CI 1.07, 18.24). There was no significant interaction by maternal obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal PGDM was positively associated with spina bifida in Finland, and maternal obesity did not modify this effect. We lacked information on maternal PGDM for electively terminated and spontaneously aborted cases; results should be interpreted with caution.

Analysis of Mortality among Neonates and Children with Spina Bifida: An International Registry-Based Study, 2001-2012

BACKGROUND

Medical advancements have resulted in better survival and life expectancy among those with spina bifida, but a significantly increased risk of perinatal and postnatal mortality for individuals with spina bifida remains.

OBJECTIVES

To examine stillbirth and infant and child mortality among those affected by spina bifida using data from multiple countries.

METHODS

We conducted an observational study, using data from 24 population- and hospital-based surveillance registries in 18 countries contributing as members of the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research (ICBDSR). Cases of spina bifida that resulted in livebirths or stillbirths from 20 weeks' gestation or elective termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (ETOPFA) were included. Among liveborn spina bifida cases, we calculated mortality at different ages as number of deaths among liveborn cases divided by total number of liveborn cases with spina bifida. As a secondary outcome measure, we estimated the prevalence of spina bifida per 10 000 total births. The 95% confidence interval for the prevalence estimate was estimated using the Poisson approximation of binomial distribution.

RESULTS

Between years 2001 and 2012, the overall first-week mortality proportion was 6.9% (95% CI 6.3, 7.7) and was lower in programmes operating in countries with policies that allowed ETOPFA compared with their counterparts (5.9% vs. 8.4%). The majority of first-week mortality occurred on the first day of life. In programmes where information on long-term mortality was available through linkage to administrative databases, survival at 5 years of age was 90%-96% in Europe, and 86%-96% in North America.

CONCLUSIONS

Our multi-country study showed a high proportion of stillbirth and infant and child deaths among those with spina bifida. Effective folic acid interventions could prevent many cases of spina bifida, thereby preventing associated childhood morbidity and mortality.

High potential for reducing folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly, and related stillbirth and child mortality, in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Recent surveillance studies in Ethiopia show an epidemic of spina bifida and anencephaly, two major neural tube birth defects that are severe and life-threatening. Our objective was to estimate proportional reductions in current stillbirth and child mortality rates in Ethiopia through folic acid-based interventions to prevent spina bifida and anencephaly.

METHODS

Using secondary data from multiple sources, we estimated percent reductions in stillbirth, neonatal, infant, and under-five child mortality rates that would have occurred in Ethiopia in the year 2016 had all folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly been prevented; and the contributions of these reductions toward Ethiopia's Year 2030 Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) goal on stillbirth, and sustainable development goal (SDG) on child mortality rates. The 2016 prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly in Ethiopia was assumed as 13 per 1,000 total births, with the prevention goal reaching 0.5 per 1,000 total births.

RESULTS

Folic acid interventions in Ethiopia would have prevented about 41,610 cases of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly-affected pregnancies during the year 2016. We estimate that this prevention is associated with reduction of 31,830 stillbirths and 7,335 under-five child deaths annually. The proportional contribution of this prevention toward achieving Ethiopia's ENAP goal is 54% for stillbirth, and toward SDG is 4.5% for neonatal- and 6.8% for under-five mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Spina bifida and anencephaly contribute to substantial stillbirths and child death in Ethiopia. Large-scale fortification of foods like wheat flour and salt can help achieve Ethiopia's ENAP and SDG targets addressing preventable stillbirth, neonatal, and under-five mortality.

Reductions in child mortality by preventing spina bifida and anencephaly: Implications in achieving Target 3.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals in developing countries

BACKGROUND

There is an opportunity to reduce child mortality by preventing folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly (FAP SBA) in developing countries. We estimated reductions in FAP SBA-associated child mortality in 69 countries with an immediate potential for mandatory fortification of wheat flour.

METHODS

Using data from multiple sources, we estimated the percent reductions in neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality that would have occurred by preventing FAP SBA; and the contributions of these reductions toward each country's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for child mortality reduction. We used the combined prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly in selected countries before fortification, and estimated preventable child mortality associated with FAP SBA, assuming 0.5 per 1,000 live births as minimum achievable prevalence from mandatory fortification.

RESULTS

Annually, 56,785 live births with FAP SBA occurred in the 69 countries examined. Of these, about 49,680 (87%) would have resulted in deaths under age 5 years, and are preventable through mandatory folic acid fortification. On average, compared to current rates, prevention of FAP SBA would have reduced the neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality by 19% (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 16-24%), 15% (UI: 13-17%), and 14%, (95% UI: 13-17%), respectively. Prevention of FAP SBA seemed to contribute toward achieving SDG on neonatal and under-five mortality in developing countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention of FAP SBA will lead to notable and immediate reductions in child mortality. Many countries have an opportunity to effectively move toward child mortality-related SDG targets with existing milling infrastructure for food fortification.

Intelligence Quotient in Patients with Myelomeningocele: A Review

It has been proposed that hydrocephalus in children with myelomeningocele (MMC) can indicate a low intelligence quotient (IQ). Others have argued that it is not the mere presence of hydrocephalus but the superimposition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infections, multiple shunt procedures, and other CNS complications that lead to the lowering of IQ in these patients.

In this paper, we review the literature to clarify the information about IQ in patients with MMC and whether it changes after infections and shunt procedures. We have also considered the other factors that could be involved in the IQ development of these patients and the differences revealed by the brain imaging of individuals with MMC.

The consensus remains that patients with MMC, with or without complications, tend to have a lower IQ than those without MMC. Hydrocephalus appears to decrease the IQ further in MMC patients. Some have proposed that prenatal repair of the MMC lesion reduces the need for ventricular shunting after birth, thus decreasing the risk of shunt complications such as a CNS infection, which can have a negative effect on IQ. More studies are needed to assess other risk factors (apart from folate deficiency) and genetic factors that could contribute to the development of MMC and their possible effects on patient IQ.

Race and ethnicity and preconception folic acid supplement use among pregnant women in Georgia, PRAMS 2009 to 2011

BACKGROUND

The United States Public Health Service recommends that all women of reproductive age consume 400 μg of folic acid daily to prevent major neural tube defects. Hispanics have the highest prevalence of neural tube defects compared with other race/ethnic groups. We studied prevalence of preconception folic acid supplement use, and its association with race/ethnicity among pregnant women in Georgia.

METHODS

Using state-wide population-based data from 2009 to 2011 Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, we examined the prevalence of preconception folic acid supplement use among pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years. We conducted multivariable logistic regression and estimated adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to examine the association between race/ethnicity and supplemental folic acid use among study participants.

RESULTS

Overall, 25% of all participants reported taking folic acid supplements daily before conception. Only 21% of Hispanic women reported preconception folic acid supplement use. Hispanic women were twice as likely to not take folic acid supplements (adjusted odds ratio = 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-3.40) compared with non-Hispanic whites, after controlling for maternal age, parity, pregnancy intention, knowledge that folic acid prevents birth defects, and preconception smoking and exercise.

CONCLUSION

Hispanics are a growing population in the United States with an expected 14 million women of child-bearing age by 2020, and the prevalence of preconception folic acid supplement use is low in this group with a high risk of neural tube defects. Promotion of voluntarily fortified corn masa flour can lower neural tube defects in Hispanics. Mandatory corn masa fortification will be a more effective public health policy.Birth Defects Research 109:38-48, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Total prevention of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly would reduce child mortality in India: Implications in achieving Target 3.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals

BACKGROUND

The potential to reduce child mortality by preventing folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly (FAP SBA) is inadequately appreciated. To quantify possible reduction in FAP SBA-associated child mortality in low- and middle-income countries, we conducted an analysis to demonstrate in India, a country with more than 25 million births and 1.2 million under-five deaths each year, the decrease in neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality that would occur through total prevention of FAP SBA.

METHODS

We estimated the percent reductions in neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality that would have occurred in India in 2015 had all of FAP SBA been prevented. We also estimated the contributions of these reductions toward India's Sustainable Development Goals on child mortality indicators. We considered the overall prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly in India as 5 per 1,000 live births, of which 90% were preventable with effective folic acid intervention.

RESULTS

In the year 2015, folic acid interventions would have prevented about 116,070 cases of FAP SBA and 101,565 under-five deaths associated with FAP SBA. Prevention of FAP SBA would have reduced annually, neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality by 10.2%, 8.9%, and 8.3%, respectively. These reductions would have contributed 18.5% and 17.2% to the reductions in neonatal and under-five mortality, respectively, needed by India to achieve its 2030 Sustainable Developmental Goal Target 3.2 addressing preventable child mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Total prevention of FAP SBA clearly has a significant potential for immediate reductions in neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality in India, and similarly other countries.

Prenatal folic acid use associated with decreased risk of myelomeningocele: A case-control study offers further support for folic acid fortification in Bangladesh

Neural tube defects contribute to severe morbidity and mortality in children and adults; however, they are largely preventable through maternal intake of folic acid before and during early pregnancy. We examined the association between maternal prenatal folic acid supplement intake and risk of myelomeningocele (a severe and common type of neural tube defect) in the offspring. We performed secondary analysis using data from a case-control study conducted at Dhaka Community Hospital, Bangladesh between April and November of 2013. Cases and controls included children with and without myelomeningocele, respectively, and their mothers. Cases were identified from local hospitals and rural health clinics served by Dhaka Community Hospital. Controls were selected from pregnancy registries located in the same region as the cases, and matched (1:1) to cases by age and sex.

Myelomeningocele in the offspring was confirmed by a pediatrician with expertise in classifying neural tube defects. Maternal prenatal folic acid supplement intake was the main exposure of interest. We estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using conditional logistic regression analysis. There were 53 pairs of matched cases and controls in our study. Overall, 51% of case mothers reported using folic acid supplements during pregnancy compared to 72% of control mothers (p = 0.03). Median plasma folate concentrations at the time of study visit were 2.79 ng/mL and 2.86 ng/mL among case and control mothers, respectively (p = 0.85). Maternal prenatal folic acid use significantly decreased the odds of myelomeningocele in the offspring (unadjusted OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.18–0.96). The association was slightly attenuated after adjusting for maternal age at the time of pregnancy (adjusted OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.18–1.02). Our study confirms the protective association between maternal prenatal folic acid supplement use and myelomeningocele among children born in Bangladesh. Our findings point to an overall low folic acid supplement use and low plasma folate concentrations among women of reproductive age in Bangladesh. Mandatory fortification of staple foods with folic acid can address low folate status among women of child-bearing age, and prevent child morbidity and mortality associated with myelomeningocele in Bangladesh.

A 2015 global update on folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly

BACKGROUND

Spina bifida and anencephaly are two major neural tube defects. They contribute substantially to perinatal, neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality and life-long disability. To monitor the progress toward the total prevention of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly (FAP SBA), we examined their global status in 2015.

METHODS

Based on existing data, we modeled the proportion of FAP SBA that are prevented in the year 2015 through mandatory folic acid fortification globally. We included only those countries with mandatory fortification that added at least 1.0 ppm folic acid as a fortificant to wheat and maize flour, and had complete information on coverage. Our model assumed mandatory folic acid fortification at 200 μg/day is fully protective against FAP SBA, and reduces the rate of spina bifida and anencephaly to a minimum of 0.5 per 1000 births.

RESULTS

Our estimates show that, in 2015, 13.2% (35,500 of approximately 268,700 global cases) of FAP SBA were prevented in 58 countries through mandatory folic acid fortification of wheat and maize flour. Most countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia were not implementing mandatory fortification with folic acid.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge that folic acid prevents spina bifida and anencephaly has existed for 25 years, yet only a small fraction of FAP SBA is being prevented worldwide. Several countries still have 5- to 20-fold epidemics of FAP SBA. Implementation of mandatory fortification with folic acid offers governments a proven and rapid way to prevent FAP SBA-associated disability and mortality, and to help achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:520-529, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Scorecard for spina bifida research, prevention, and policy - A development process

Spina bifida is a serious and largely preventable neural tube birth defect and an important cause of mortality and lifelong disability. The People and Organizations United for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (PUSH!) Global Alliance was formed in 2014 to provide a common platform for various organizations worldwide to raise the visibility of spina bifida and hydrocephalus. In its formative phase, the alliance recognized that in order to accelerate surveillance, prevention, and care for these conditions, there was a need to provide an evidence-based assessment of how nations are performing in specific areas. In this paper, we describe the impetus for, and the process of, developing country-level scorecards for spina bifida surveillance, prevention and care. The PUSH! Executive Committee formulated a comprehensive list of six actionable indicators measuring availability of published studies on population-based folate studies; surveillance of prevalence and mortality; prevention-based policies; access to care; and quality of life associated with spina bifida. Rubrics were developed to score each country on the aforementioned indicators. Country scores were pooled across each indicator and the composite scores ranged between zero and three if there was a need for improvement, four and five if they were in good standing, or six for an excellent status. The scorecard included country-specific recommendations assimilated from the literature and published guidelines to aid policy makers in accelerating surveillance and prevention, and improving the care and quality of life indicators. For comparison, country-level scorecards were grouped by WHO-regions. Score cards were made available publicly through the website "www.pu-sh.org".

The mortality rate after hospital discharge in patients with myelomeningocele decreased after implementation of mandatory flour fortification with folic acid

Objective:

To evaluate the mandatory folic acid fortification of flour on mortality rates after the hospital discharge of children born with myelomeningocele, the most affected age group and the most frequent cause of death.

Methods:

A retrospective study of 383 children born with myelomeningocele from January 1990 to December 2013 in a high-fetal-risk reference hospital.

Results:

A total of 39 patients died (10.1%),of which 23 (6%) died after discharge. Most children who died were younger than 12 months of age. The most frequent cause of death was infection of the central nervous system, followed by urinary tract sepsis and infections of the respiratory system. Symptomatic Chiari II malformation was the most frequent comorbidity factor.

Conclusion:

Although there was no significant difference in infant mortality before and after folic acid fortification, there was a significant reduction in deaths after hospital discharge in babies born after implementation of mandatory folic acid fortification.

Prevention of congenital malformations and other adverse pregnancy outcomes with 4.0 mg of folic acid: community-based randomized clinical trial in Italy and the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

In 2010 a Cochrane review confirmed that folic acid (FA) supplementation prevents the first- and second-time occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs). At present some evidence from observational studies supports the hypothesis that FA supplementation can reduce the risk of all congenital malformations (CMs) or the risk of a specific and selected group of them, namely cardiac defects and oral clefts. Furthermore, the effects on the prevention of prematurity, foetal growth retardation and pre-eclampsia are unclear.Although the most common recommendation is to take 0.4 mg/day, the problem of the most appropriate dose of FA is still open.The aim of this project is to assess the effect a higher dose of peri-conceptional FA supplementation on reducing the occurrence of all CMs. Other aims include the promotion of pre-conceptional counselling, comparing rates of selected CMs, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age, abruptio placentae.

METHODS/DESIGN

This project is a joint effort by research groups in Italy and the Netherlands. Women of childbearing age, who intend to become pregnant within 12 months are eligible for the studies. Women are randomly assigned to receive 4 mg of FA (treatment in study) or 0.4 mg of FA (referent treatment) daily. Information on pregnancy outcomes are derived from women-and-physician information.We foresee to analyze the data considering all the adverse outcomes of pregnancy taken together in a global end point (e.g.: CMs, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age). A total of about 1,000 pregnancies need to be evaluated to detect an absolute reduction of the frequency of 8%. Since the sample size needed for studying outcomes separately is large, this project also promotes an international prospective meta-analysis.

DISCUSSION

The rationale of these randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is the hypothesis that a higher intake of FA is related to a higher risk reduction of NTDs, other CMs and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our hope is that these trials will act as catalysers, and lead to other large RCTs studying the effects of this supplementation on CMs and other infant and maternal outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Italian trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01244347.Dutch trial: Dutch Trial Register ID: NTR3161.

Folate-related gene variants in Irish families affected by neural tube defects

Periconceptional folic acid use can often prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). Variants of genes involved in folate metabolism in mothers and children have been associated with occurrence of NTDs. We identified Irish families with individuals affected by neural tube defects. In these families, we observed that neural tube defects and birth defects overall occurred at a higher rate in the maternal lineage compared with the paternal lineage. The goal of this study was to look for evidence for genetic effects that could explain the discrepancy in the occurrence of these birth defects in the maternal vs. paternal lineage. We genotyped blood samples from 322 individuals from NTD-affected Irish families, identified through their membership in spina bifida associations. We looked for differences in distribution in maternal vs. paternal lineages of five genetic polymorphisms: the DHFR 19 bp deletion, MTHFD1 1958G>A, MTHFR 1298A>C, MTHFR 677C>T, and SLC19A1 80A>G. In addition to looking at genotypes individually, we determined the number of genotypes associated with decreased folate metabolism in each relative (“risk genotypes”) and compared the distribution of these genotypes in maternal vs. paternal relatives. Overall, maternal relatives had a higher number of genotypes associated with lower folate metabolism than paternal relatives (p = 0.017). We expected that relatives would share the same risk genotype as the individuals with NTDs and/or their mothers. However, we observed that maternal relatives had an over-abundance of any risk genotype, rather than one specific genotype. The observed genetic effects suggest an epigenetic mechanism in which decreased folate metabolism results in epigenetic alterations related to the increased rate of NTDs and other birth defects seen in the maternal lineage. Future studies on the etiology of NTDs and other birth defects could benefit from including multigenerational extended families, in order to explore potential epigenetic mechanisms.

Clean birth and postnatal care practices to reduce neonatal deaths from sepsis and tetanus: a systematic review and Delphi estimation of mortality effect

Background

Annually over 520,000 newborns die from neonatal sepsis, and 60,000 more from tetanus. Estimates of the effect of clean birth and postnatal care practices are required for evidence-based program planning.

Objective

To review the evidence for clean birth and postnatal care practices and estimate the effect on neonatal mortality from sepsis and tetanus for the Lives Saved Tool (LiST).

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of multiple databases. Data were abstracted into standard tables and assessed by GRADE criteria. Where appropriate, meta-analyses were undertaken. For interventions with low quality evidence but a strong GRADE recommendation, a Delphi process was conducted.

Results

Low quality evidence supports a reduction in all-cause neonatal mortality (19% (95% c.i. 1–34%)), cord infection (30% (95% c.i. 20–39%)) and neonatal tetanus (49% (95% c.i. 35–62%)) with birth attendant handwashing. Very low quality evidence supports a reduction in neonatal tetanus mortality with a clean birth surface (93% (95% c.i. 77-100%)) and no relationship between a clean perineum and tetanus. Low quality evidence supports a reduction of neonatal tetanus with facility birth (68% (95% c.i. 47-88%). No relationship was found between birth place and cord infections or sepsis mortality. For postnatal clean practices, all-cause mortality is reduced with chlorhexidine cord applications in the first 24 hours of life (34% (95% c.i. 5–54%, moderate quality evidence) and antimicrobial cord applications (63% (95% c.i. 41–86%, low quality evidence). One study of postnatal maternal handwashing reported reductions in all-cause mortality (44% (95% c.i. 18–62%)) and cord infection ((24% (95% c.i. 5-40%)).

Given the low quality of evidence, a Delphi expert opinion process was undertaken. Thirty experts reached consensus regarding reduction of neonatal sepsis deaths by clean birth practices at home (15% (IQR 10–20)) or in a facility (27% IQR 24–36)), and by clean postnatal care practices (40% (IQR 25–50)). The panel estimated that neonatal tetanus mortality was reduced by clean birth practices at home (30% (IQR(20–30)), or in a facility (38% (IQR 34–40)), and by clean postnatal care practices (40% (IQR 30–50)).

Conclusion

According to expert opinion, clean birth and particularly postnatal care practices are effective in reducing neonatal mortality from sepsis and tetanus. Further research is required regarding optimal implementation strategies.

Folic acid food fortification-its history, effect, concerns, and future directions

Periconceptional intake of folic acid is known to reduce a woman’s risk of having an infant affected by a neural tube birth defect (NTD). National programs to mandate fortification of food with folic acid have reduced the prevalence of NTDs worldwide. Uncertainty surrounding possible unintended consequences has led to concerns about higher folic acid intake and food fortification programs. This uncertainty emphasizes the need to continually monitor fortification programs for accurate measures of their effect and the ability to address concerns as they arise. This review highlights the history, effect, concerns, and future directions of folic acid food fortification programs.

Contributions of enriched cereal-grain products, ready-to-eat cereals, and supplements to folic acid and vitamin B-12 usual intake and folate and vitamin B-12 status in US children: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2003-2006

BACKGROUND

US children consume folic acid from multiple sources. These sources may contribute differently to usual intakes above the age-specific tolerable upper intake level (UL) for folic acid and to folate and vitamin B-12 status.

OBJECTIVE

We estimated usual daily folic acid intakes above the UL and adjusted serum and red blood cell folate, serum vitamin B-12, homocysteine, and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations in US children by age group and by the following 3 major folic acid intake sources: enriched cereal-grain products (ECGP), ready-to-eat cereals (RTE), and supplements containing folic acid (SUP).

DESIGN

We analyzed data in 4 groups of children aged 1-3, 4-8, 9-13, and 14-18 y from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2003-2006 (n = 7161).

RESULTS

A total of 19-48% of children consumed folic acid from ECGP only. Intakes above the UL varied from 0-0.1% of children who consumed ECGP only to 15-78% of children who consumed ECGP+RTE+SUP. In children aged 1-8 y, 99-100% of those who consumed ≥ 200 μg folic acid/d from supplements exceeded their UL. Although < 0.5% of children had folate deficiency or low vitamin B-12 status, the consumption of RTE or SUP with folic acid was associated with higher mean folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations and, in some older children, with lower homocysteine and MMA concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the majority of US children consume more than one source of folic acid. Postfortification, the consumption of RTE or SUP increases usual daily intakes and blood concentrations of folate and vitamin B-12.