Risk factors, organ weight deviation and associated anomalies in neural tube defects: A prospective fetal and perinatal autopsy series.
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Date
2015-07
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Abstract
Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTD) are a group of serious birth defects
occurring due to defective closure of neural tube during embryonic development.
It comprises of anencephaly, encephalocele and spina bifi da. We conducted
this prospective fetal autopsy series to study the rate and distribution of
NTD, analyze the reproductive factors and risk factors, note any associated
anomalies and evaluate the organ weights and their deviation from normal.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study done over a period
of 6 years from August, 2007 to July, 2013. All cases of NTDs delivered as
abortion, still born and live born were included. The reproductive and risk factors
like age, parity, multiple births, previous miscarriage, obesity, diabetes mellitus,
socioeconomic status and use of folic acid during pregnancy were collected.
Autopsy was performed according to Virchow’s technique. Detail external and
internal examination were carried out to detect any associated anomalies. Gross
and microscopic examination of organs were done. Results: Out of 210 cases
of fetal and perinatal autopsy done, 72 (34.28%) had NTD constituting 49 cases
of anencephaly, 16 spina bifi da and 7 cases of encephalocele. The mothers
in these cases predominantly were within 25-29 years (P = 0.02) and primy
(P = 0.01). Female sex was more commonly affected than males (M:F = 25:47,
P = 0.0005) There was no history of folate use in majority of cases. Organ
weight deviations were >2 standard deviation low in most of the cases. Most
common associated anomalies were adrenal hypoplasia and thymic hyperplasia.
Conclusion: The authors have made an attempt to study NTD cases in respect
to maternal reproductive and risk factors and their association with NTD along
with the organ weight deviation and associated anomalies. This so far in our
knowledge is an innovative study which was not found in literature even after
extensive search.
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Keywords
Autopsy, congenital malformation, neural tube defect, organ weight
Citation
Kar Asaranti, Kar Tushar, Kanungo Shyama, Guru Lilavati, Rath Jayasree, Dehuri Priyadarshini. Risk factors, organ weight deviation and associated anomalies in neural tube defects: A prospective fetal and perinatal autopsy series. Indian Journal of Pathology & Microbiology. 2015 Jul-Sept 58(3): 285-291.