Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction: Neural tube defect (NTD) is one of the congenital defects of the central nervous
system due to neural tube closure deficit during the third and fourth weeks of gestational age.
Globally, more than 300,000 babies are born with neural tube defects each year. However,
limited studies have been conducted in Ethiopia to assess the prevalence of NTD and its
determinants.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of neural tube defects and associated factors among
newborns delivered in Dessie referral hospital from January 2014 to January 2019, Northeast
Ethiopia.
Methods: Institution based five years retrospective cross-sectional study design was done on a
sample of 422 records of newborns delivered in Dessie referral hospital from January 2014 to
January 2019. The study participants' medical records were enrolled using a systematic random
sampling technique. The data were collected using a standardized extraction checklist. The
outcome variable was physician confirmed NTD among newborns delivered in Dessie referral
hospital. The binary logistic regression model was done to measure the association between NTD
and predictor variables. Independent variables with p-value less than 0.25 during bivariate
analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model to control possible
potential confounders. Statistical significance level was declared at p-value less than 0.05.
Results: the overall prevalence of NTD found to be 3.8% (95% CI 2.0, 5.8%). From the different
types of NTDs, 46.7% was attributed by Meningocele, 20% by spina bifida and enencephaly,
6.7% by myelomeningocele, and 6.6% by anencephaly. The multivariable logistic regression
analysis showed not being supplemented with folic acid during pregnancy [AOR=20.58: 95% CI
16.73, 48.60], having hypertension during pregnancy [AOR=6.60: 95% CI 1.32, 13.07] and
substance use during pregnancy [AOR=5.38: 95% CI 1.37, 21.09] were found significantly
associated with NTD at birth
