Myelomeningocele at a Tertiary Care Hospital - Social and Medical Factors, Dietary Habits Influence on Occurrence

INTRODUCTION: Folic acid deficiency in antenatal period is a well known etiological factor for spinal dysrapahism. Still many regions of Rural India are not aware of the importance of folic acid supplementation and antenatal screening for congenital anomalies. OBJECTIVES: To study the folic acid supplementation and antenatal ultrasonography screening to rule out structural anomalies in mothers of children with spinal dysraphism. Also to know various social factors contributing to the delayed detection and occurance of spinal dysraphism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study on the mothers of children with Spinal Dysraphism from rural areas of North Costal Andhra Pradesh. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Most of them were unaware of folic acid supplementation, its advantages, usage and effects of its deficiency. None of them started folic acid before planning to conceive. Only few of the cases were detected in antenatal ultra sonogram screening.