Epidemiology and determinant factors of neural tube defect: Narrative review

Abstract

Background: The epidemiology of neural tube defect (NTD) is face ignorance from the global community. However, the problem is complex and it is a cause for child mortality and morbidity. We provide the latest insights with respect to determinant factors of NTD.

Methods: Google Scholar and PubMed were systematically searched to identify potential research articles concerning the epidemiology and its determinant factors of NTD.

Results: The epidemiology of Neural tube defects increased in some countries. The epidemiology and determinant factors were varies across countries,geographical regions and socioeconomic status of the populations. In general, the determinant factors of NTD were summarized as behavioral, nutrition-related, environmental, medical illness, and health service-related factors.

Conclusion: Birth defect is fatal which affects the new generation; specifically, NTD is the problem of middle- and low-income countries. It is a direct cause for neonatal and perinatal mortality rate globally. Even if little factors identified, yet conducting experimental and clinical trial researches are a better approach to slow down the progress.

Keywords: Determinant factors; Epidemiology; Neural tube defect.