Unusual patterns of neural tube defects in a high risk region of northern China.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of different types of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Luliang Prefecture, Shanxi province, where the prevalence of NTDs is unusually high and the correlation between NTDs prevalence and patterns.


METHODS
A surveillance population-based birth defects was performed in Luliang Prefecture, Shanxi province.


RESULTS
The results of our study showed that the prevalence of NTDs was 2-fold higher in Luliang Prefecture than in other areas of Shanxi province. Unusual patterns of NTDs were found, however, multiple NTDs were relatively common in Luliang Prefecture, accounting for over 13% of all NTDs cases in China.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of NTDs is associated with its patterns.
Chen
Gong
G
Institute of Population Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Pei
Li-Jun
LJ
Huang
Jian
J
Song
Xin-Ming
XM
Lin
Liang-Ming
LM
Gu
Xue
X
Wu
Jian-Xin
JX
Wang
Fang
F
Wu
Ji-Lei
JL
Chen
Jia-Peng
JP
Liu
Ju-Fen
JF
Xin
Ruo-Lei
RL
Zhang
Ting
T
Zheng
Xiao-Ying
XY
D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors