Maternal risk factors and neural tube defects in offspring, in two hospitals in Nicaragua, 2016-2020. A case-control study

Authors

  • Dra. Dania María Pastora Bucardo. National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León.
  • Marcial Francisco Montes Pastora National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León.
  • Dr. Edgar Gerardo Delgado Téllez National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León.
  • MSc. Dulce María Oviedo Martínez National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León
  • Dra. Teresa de Jesús Alemán Rivera National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León.
  • Dra. Alicia Samanta Espinoza Palma National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León
  • MSc. Evert Miguel Téllez Castillo National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León.
  • Dr. Andrés Emiliano Herrera Rodríguez National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5377/universitas.v14i1.16471

Keywords:

neural tube defects, risk factor, folic acid, pregnancy planning.

Abstract

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital malformations affecting the development of the central nervous system, with a high prevalence in the western region of Nicaragua. This study analyzes the association between maternal and environmental risk factors and NTDs in offspring. Method: A case-control study was conducted at the university hospitals of León and Chinandega between January 2016 and December 2020. Cases (76) were defined as live births or stillbirths with NTD. Controls (146) neonates without NTDs with a ratio (2:1) were matched for date of birth and hospital of birth. A multivariate regression model was used to study the association between maternal and environmental characteristics with the risk of developing NTDs. Results: 73 NTD cases and 146 healthy controls were included in this study. Not taking folic acid supplements during the first trimester of pregnancy (ORA= 16.0, 95% CI: 5.9-43.3), rural origin (ORA= 2.7, 95% CI: 1.23-6.21) and low birth weight (ORA= 9.9, 95% CI: 3.12-31.60), were determined as risk factors with statistical significance. Conclusion: The Lack of consumption of folic acid supplements during early stages of pregnancy is a consistent risk factor for neural tube defects in the northwestern region of Nicaragua. Strengthening information, education and communication plans on folic acid consumption for women of reproductive age should be considered to increase the consumption of this micronutrient and reduce NTDs.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
269
pdf (Español (España)) 142

Author Biographies

Dra. Dania María Pastora Bucardo., National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León.

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
Center for Research in Demography and Health (CIDS), UNAN-León.

Marcial Francisco Montes Pastora, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León.

Surgery Department, Mauricio Abdalah Hospital, Ministry of Health.

Dr. Edgar Gerardo Delgado Téllez , National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León.

Department of Internal Medicine,
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Center for Research in Demography and Health (CIDS), UNAN-León.

MSc. Dulce María Oviedo Martínez , National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León

Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
Center for Research in Demography and Health (CIDS), UNAN-León.

Dra. Teresa de Jesús Alemán Rivera, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León.

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
Center for Research in Demography and Health (CIDS), UNAN-León.

Dra. Alicia Samanta Espinoza Palma , National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León

Department of Oral Health, School of Dentistry,
Center for Research in Demography and Health (CIDS), UNAN-León.

MSc. Evert Miguel Téllez Castillo, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León.

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
Center for Research in Demography and Health (CIDS), UNAN-León.

Dr. Andrés Emiliano Herrera Rodríguez, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
Center for Research in Demography and Health (CIDS), UNAN-León.

References

Au, K. S., Ashley‐Koch, A., Northrup, H., Ashley-Koch, A., & Northrup, H. (2010). Epidemiologic and genetic aspects of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 16(1), 6–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/ddrr.93

Berihu, B. A., Welderufael, A. L., Berhe, Y., Magana, T., Mulugeta, A., Asfaw, S., & Gebreselassie, K. (2018). High burden of neural tube defects in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Hospital-based study. PLOS ONE, 13(11), e0206212. https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0206212

Berry, R. J., Li, Z., Erickson, J. D., Li, S., Moore, C. A., Wang, H., Mulinare, J., Zhao, P., Wong, L.-Y. C., Gindler, J., Hong, S.-X., Hao, L., Gunter, E., & Correa, A. (1999). Prevention of neural-tube defects with folic acid in China. New England Journal of Medicine, 341(20), 1485–1490. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199911113412001

Blencowe, H., Kancherla, V., Moorthie, S., Darlison, M. W., & Modell, B. (2018). Estimates of global and regional prevalence of neural tube defects for 2015: a systematic analysis. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13548

Castillo-Lancellotti, C., Tur, J. A., & Uauy, R. (2013). Impact of folic acid fortification of flour on neural tube defects: A systematic review. In Public Health Nutrition (Vol. 16, Issue 5, pp. 901–911). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980012003576

Christianson, A., Howson, C. P., & Modell, B. (2005). March of Dimes: global report on birth defects, the hidden toll of dying and disabled children. March of Dimes: Global Report on Birth Defects, the Hidden Toll of Dying and Disabled Children.

COMIECO. (2010). Reglamento Tecnico Centroamericano anexo de la resolucion 201-2007 (COMIECO-XLV) Harinas. Harina de trigo fortificada. Espoecificaciones. Gaceta Diario Oficial, 87.

Crider, K. S., Bailey, L. B., & Berry, R. J. (2011). Folic acid food fortification—its history, effect, concerns, and future directions. Nutrients, 3(3), 370–384. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu3030370

Desrosiers, T. A., Lawson, C. C., & Meyer, R. E. (2012). No Title. Occup Environ Med, 69(null), 493.

Ferrazzi, E., Tiso, G., & Di Martino, D. (2020). Folic acid versus 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate supplementation in pregnancy. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.

Fine, E. L., Horal, M., Chang, T. I., Fortin, G., & Loeken, M. R. (1999). Evidence that elevated glucose causes altered gene expression, apoptosis, and neural tube defects in a mouse model of diabetic pregnancy. Diabetes, 48(12), 2454–2462.

Finnell, R. H., Caiaffa, C. D., Kim, S.-E., Lei, Y., Steele, J., Cao, X., Tukeman, G., Lin, Y. L., Cabrera, R. M., & Wlodarczyk, B. J. (2021). Gene Environment Interactions in the Etiology of Neural Tube Defects. Frontiers in Genetics, 12, 659612. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.659612

Greene, N. D. E., & Copp, A. J. (2014). Neural Tube Defects. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 37, 221. https://doi.org/10.1146/ANNUREV-NEURO-062012-170354

Houk, V. N., Oakley, G. P., Erickson, J. D., Mulinare, J., & James, L. M. (1992). Recommendations for the use of folic acid to reduce the number of cases of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. In MMWR. Recommendations and reports : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Recommendations and reports / Centers for Disease Control (Vol. 41, Issue RR-14, pp. 1–7).

Hoyt, A. T., Canfield, M. A., Romitti, P. A., Botto, L. D., Anderka, M. T., Krikov, S. V, Tarpey, M. K., & Feldkamp, M. L. (2016). Associations between maternal periconceptional exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and major birth defects. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 215(5), 613.e1-613.e11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2016.07.022

Imbard, A., Benoist, J.-F. F., & Blom, H. J. (2013). Neural Tube Defects, Folic Acid and methylation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10(9), 4352–4389. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10094352

Iskandar, B. J., & Finnell, R. H. (2022). Spina Bifida. The New England Journal of Medicine, 387(5), 444–450. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra2116032

Kalra, S., Dewan, P., Batra, P., Sharma, T., Tyagi, V., & Banerjee, B. D. (2016). Organochlorine pesticide exposure in mothers and neural tube defects in offsprings. Reproductive Toxicology, 66, 56–60.

Kancherla, V. (2023). Neural tube defects: a review of global prevalence, causes, and primary prevention. Child’s Nervous System, 1–8.

Kondo, A., Matsuo, T., Morota, N., Kondo, A. S., Okai, I., & Fukuda, H. (2017). Neural tube defects: Risk factors and preventive measures. Congenital Anomalies, 57(5), 150–156.

López‐Camelo, J. S., Orioli, I. M. I. M., Dutra, M. da G., Nazer‐Herrera, J., Rivera, N., Ojeda, M. E. M. E., Canessa, A., Wettig, E., Fontannaz, A. M., Mellado, C. C., Lopez-Camelo, J. S., Orioli, I. M. I. M., Da Grace Dutra, M., Nazer-Herrera, J., Rivera, N., Ojeda, M. E. M. E., Canessa, A., Wettig, E., Fontannaz, A. M., … Castilla, E. E. (2005). Reduction of birth prevalence rates of neural tube defects after folic acid fortification in Chile. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, 135(2), 120–125. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.30651

McDowell, M. A., & Center for Health Statistics, N. (2008). Blood folate levels; the latest NHANES results. NCHS.

Medveczky, E., Puhó, E., & Czeizel, A. E. (2004). An evaluation of maternal illnesses in the origin of neural-tube defects. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 270(4), 244–251. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-003-0553-2

MIFIC. (2011). Norma Tecnica Nicaraguense, foritficacion del arroz. NTON – 03 091 11.

Molloy, A. M. (2018). Should vitamin B(12) status be considered in assessing risk of neural tube defects? Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1414(1), 109–125. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13574

Mulinare, J., Cordero, J. F., Erickson, J. D., & Berry, R. J. (1988). Periconceptional Use of Multivitamins and the Occurrence of Neural Tube Defects. JAMA, 260(21), 3141–3145. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1988.03410210053035

Mundial, B. (2019). Tasa de mortalidad, neonatal (por cada 1.000 nacidos vivos). Recuperado de Https://Datos. Bancomundial. Org/Indicador/SH. DYN. NMRT. https://datos.bancomundial.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN?locations=NI

Nasri, H. Z., Houde Ng, K., Westgate, M.-N., Hunt, A.-T., & Holmes, L. B. (2018). Malformations among infants of mothers with insulin-dependent diabetes: Is there a recognizable pattern of abnormalities? Birth Defects Research, 110(2), 108–113. https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.1155

Orioli, I. M., Dolk, H., Lopez-Camelo, J., Groisman, B., Benavides-Lara, A., Gimenez, L. G., Correa, D. M., Ascurra, M., de Aquino Bonilha, E., Canessa-Tapia, M. A., de França, G. V. A., Hurtado-Villa, P., Ibarra-Ramírez, M., Pardo, R., Pastora, D. M., Zarante, I., Soares, F. S., de Carvalho, F. M., & Piola, M. (2020). The Latin American network for congenital malformation surveillance: ReLAMC. American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part C, Seminars in Medical Genetics, 184(4), 1078–1091. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.c.31872

Ramya, S., Shyamasundar, S., Bay, B. H., & Dheen, S. T. (2017). Maternal diabetes alters expression of microRNAs that regulate genes critical for neural tube development. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 10, 237.

Rehman, L., Shiekh, M., Afzal, A., & Rizvi, R. (2020). Risk factors, presentation and outcome of meningomyelocele repair. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 36(3), 422.

Ren, A., Qiu, X., Jin, L., Ma, J., Li, Z., Zhang, L., Zhu, H., Finnell, R. H., Zhu, T., & Smith, K. R. (2011). Association of selected persistent organic pollutants in the placenta with the risk of neural tube defects. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108(31), 12770–12775. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1105209108

Salazar-Reviakina, A., Sierra-Bretón, M., Rumbo, J., Madariaga, I., Tovar, C., Uribe, M., Sequera, C., Rodríguez, C., Holguín, J., & Sarmiento, K. (2021). Characterization of Risk Factors for Neural Tube Defects: A Case-Control Study in Bogota and Cali, Colombia, 2001-2018. Journal of Child Neurology, 36(7), 509–516.

Smithells, R. W., Sheppard, S., Schorah, C. J., Seller, M. J., Nevin, N. C., Harris, R., Read, A. P., & Fielding, D. W. (1980). Possible prevention of neural-tube defects by periconceptional vitamin supplementation. The Lancet, 315(8164), 339–340.

Suarez, L., Felkner, M., Brender, J. D., Canfield, M., & Hendricks, K. (2008). Maternal exposures to cigarette smoke, alcohol, and street drugs and neural tube defect occurrence in offspring. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 12(3), 394–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-007-0251-y

Teratogenicity of antiepileptic drugs, 32 Current Opinion in Neurology 246 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1097/WCO.0000000000000659

Waller, D. K., Hashmi, S. S., Hoyt, A. T., Duong, H. T., Tinker, S. C., Gallaway, M. S., Olney, R. S., Finnell, R. H., Hecht, J. T., & Canfield, M. A. (2018). Maternal report of fever from cold or flu during early pregnancy and the risk for noncardiac birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2011. Birth Defects Research, 110(4), 342–351. https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.1147

Wallingford, J. B., Niswander, L. A., Shaw, G. M., & Finnell, R. H. (2013). The continuing challenge of understanding, preventing, and treating neural tube defects. Science, 339(6123), 1222002. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1222002

Watkins, M. L., Rasmussen, S. A., Honein, M. A., Botto, L. D., & Moore, C. A. (2003). Maternal obesity and risk for birth defects. Pediatrics, 111(Supplement 1), 1152–1158.

WHO. (2018). GHO | By category | Number of deaths by region - Congenital anomalies. WHO; World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/gho/data/view.main.CM1002015REG6-CH15?lang=en

Williams, J., Mai, C. T., Mulinare, J., Isenburg, J., Flood, T. J., Ethen, M., Frohnert, B., Kirby, R. S., & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Updated Estimates of Neural Tube Defects Prevented by Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification — United States, 1995–2011. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 64(1), 1.

World Health Organization. (2020). Children: improving survival and well-being. OMS Perú. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/children-reducing-mortality

Zaganjor, I., Sekkarie, A., Tsang, B. L., Williams, J., Razzaghi, H., Mulinare, J., Sniezek, J. E., Cannon, M. J., & Rosenthal, J. (2016). Describing the prevalence of neural tube defects worldwide: a systematic literature review. PloS One, 11(4).

Zaheri, F., Ranaie, F., Shahoei, R., Hasheminasab, L., & Roshani, D. (2017). Risk factors associated with neural tube defects in infants referred to western Iranian obstetrical centers; 2013–2014. Electronic Physician, 9(6), 4636.

Published

2023-06-30

How to Cite

Pastora Bucardo., D. D. M. ., Montes Pastora, M. F. ., Delgado Téllez , D. E. G. ., Oviedo Martínez , M. D. M. ., Alemán Rivera, D. T. de J. ., Espinoza Palma , D. A. S. ., Téllez Castillo, M. E. M. ., & Herrera Rodríguez, D. A. E. . (2023). Maternal risk factors and neural tube defects in offspring, in two hospitals in Nicaragua, 2016-2020. A case-control study. Universitas (León): Revista Científica De La UNAN León, 14(1), 10–18. https://doi.org/10.5377/universitas.v14i1.16471