Prevalence of Neural Tube Defect and Its Relative Factors in South-west of Iran

Objectives: The main objective of this research was an analytic assessment of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) in pregnant women who visited Jundi Shapur university hospitals in Ahvaz from March 21, 2002 till March 20, 2004 and possible contributory factors. Methodology: This is a retrospective study from the medical documents. The results have been analytically assessed. Results: Total numbers of pregnant women were 13262 and 56 pregnancies were complicated with Neural tube defect, an incidence of 4.2 in 1000 births. Prevalence in primigravida was 42.6% and in multigravida 57.4%, the major prevalence was among mothers between the ages of 21 to 30 (72.2%). Thirty-one percent of couples had family relationships. Most fetuses with NTD were female (70%) and the most common anomaly was anencephaly. Prevalence of NTD was 2-4 fold than mentioned in reference books.