Neural Tube Defect and Associated Factors in Bale Zone Hospitals, Southeast Ethiopia

Introduction: Neural Tube Defect (NTD) is related to failure of neural tube closure between 3rd and 4th weeks of embryo development. The cause of NTDs is not clearly stated, however, may factors like radiation, drugs, malnutrition, chemicals, genetic, maternal age, previous history of still birth, lack of Antenatal Care (ANC), consanguinity and any febrile illness during pregnancy were identified as contributing factors for development of NTDs. In spite of deficiency of folic acid in Ethiopia, data on factors of NTD were very limited in Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular, therefore this study was undertaken to identify associated factors with NTDs and provides shadow for future studies.

The objective of the present study is to identify patterns of neural tube defect and associated factors among newborn in four public hospitals in Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia.

Methods: Case control study design was conducted in four public hospitals at Bale Zone from October 2017 to February 2018. Total sample of 462 were included and convenience sampling method was implemented. Semi structured and pretested questioner was used to collect data.

Result: Maternal factors significantly associated with increased risk for NTDs were maternal age between 15-24 years (OR=4.78, 95%CI, 1.10-20.66), consanguineous marriage (OR=5.54, 95%CI, 1.47-20.87), being passive smokers (OR=11.08, 95%CI, 1.96-62.69), and Folic acid supplementation (OR=0.095, 95%CI, 0.031-0.285).

Conclusion: In present study, folic acid supplementation was identified as protective factor for NTDs, while, consanguinity, being passive smokers and women between the ages of 15-24 years, were the risk factors associated with NTDs.

Keywords: Neural tube; Defect; Consanguinity; Folic acid