Nargis Shabana, Tahira Khalid, Maryam Batool.
Comparison of Risk Factors for Neural Tube Defects Between Anencephalic Pregnancies and Normal Pregnancies.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;13(2):130-3.

Objective: To compare the risk factors for neural tube defects between anencephalic pregnancies and normal pregnancies. Study Design: It was a Case Control Study with 35 patients in each group, conducted at Sheikh Khalifa bin Al Nahyan Hospital affiliated to Poonch Medical College, Rawalakot. Methodology: Cases and Controls were recruited from antenatal clinic of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zahid Al Nahyan Hospital Rawalakot. Cases were pregnant women with diagnosed anencephalic fetus on anomaly scan and controls were from same antenatal population with normal fetus on ultrasound. Data on risk factors was collected from both the groups using a questionnaire. Results: Significant risk factors for anencephaly included area of residence (p = 0.00), family history of anencephaly (p = 0.03), use of folic acid in pregnancy (p = 0.00). Advanced maternal age, ethnicity and consanguinity had no significant association with anencephaly. Conclusion: Interestingly a geographical hot spot was noted for anencephaly with a positive family history for NTD as well. This needs to be explored further. Protective role of folic acid against anencephaly should be emphasized.

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