Current experience of neural tube defects in the West of Scotland.
The experience at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children,Glasgow, of infants admitted due to a neural tube defect has been reviewed. Two hundred and seventy-one infants were admitted in the years 1972 to 1978. In 1972 amniocentesis and in 1975 serum AFP screening were commenced in the region. Analysis of the results in Glasgow shows the latter programme to have resulted in the termination of 78% of these pregnancies complicated by the fetus having anencephaly but only 19% of those with spina bifida cystica. Spina bifida patients are a continuing medical and social challenge for which continued resources must be deployed.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012606:Scotland