title: Management of neural tube defects in a Sub-Saharan African country: the situation in Yaounde, Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neural tube defect is a serious disabling but preventable congenital malformation with an incidence of 1.99 per 1000 births in Yaounde [A.K. Njamnshi, V. d e P. Djientcheu, A. Lekoubou, M. Guemse, M.T. Obama, R. Mbu, S. Takongmo, I. Kago. Neural tube defects are rare among black Americans but not in Sub-Saharan black Africans: The case of Yaounde-Cameroon. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 2008; 270: 13-17]. The management requires highly qualified personnel and a significant social cost. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management of neural tube defect in a resource-limited developing Sub-Saharan nation like Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed all patients with neural tube defects admitted in the neonatology unit of the Mother and Child Center (Chantal Biya Foundation Yaounde) between January 1st 2000 and December 31st 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-nine (69) patients were enrolled. There was a male predominance (69.57%) in the sample. Myelomeningomecele represented 68.11% of cases, followed by encephalocele (27.54%) and meningocele (4.35%). Antenatal ultrasound examinations were done in 27 cases (32.8%). The prenatal diagnosis was made only in 8 cases. No medical abortion was performed in any of these cases. Medical abortion is illegal in Cameroon (except in certain specific situations) as well as other Sub-Saharan African countries. Hydrocephalus was diagnosed in 40.02% of cases. As most of the patients (62.32%) could not afford modern treatment, only 26.09% of them were operated at birth. The rest sought traditional and other forms of treatment, due to poverty or cultural beliefs. Eight patients (11.59%) died before surgery. Surgery consisted of local closure alone (40%) or local closure associated to CSF shunting (60%). The complications were wound dehiscence (13.69%), shunt infection (1.37%), meningitis (1.37%) and iatrogenic pulmonary oedema (1.37%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neural tube defects are the most frequent and disabling malformations in neonates in the Sub-Saharan African paediatric environment. Prenatal management and outcome at birth are limited by poverty and cultural beliefs. Prevention is possible and may be better than palliative care in developing countries.
authors: Neurosurgery Department, Central Hospital Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: de Paul Djientcheu
authors: Alfred Kongnyu
authors: AK
authors: Njamnshi
authors: Ambroise
authors: A
authors: Wonkam
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Njiki
authors: Mohamadou
authors: M
authors: Guemse
authors: Robinson
authors: R
authors: Mbu
authors: Marie Thérèse
authors: MT
authors: Obama
authors: Samuel
authors: S
authors: Takongmo
authors: Innocent
authors: I
authors: Kago
authors: Ekoe
authors: E
authors: Tetanye
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Tietche
mesh_terms: D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies