Risk Factors and Spine Abnormalities in Children with Spina Bifida in Central Sudan

Spina bifida is a common cause of disability in infancy and childhood. Up to 70% of spina bifida cases can be prevented by maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation. The aim of this prospective research was to study the risk factors and spine abnormalities in children with spina bifida in Central Sudan. Between June 2009 and May 2011, 105 Sudanese children with spina bifida, 55 females and 50 males, aged between the first day of life to 9 years were recruited in this study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and radiographs. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used to perform data analysis. First born child had increased risk for the disease and incidence was more common in winter. Thirty nine percent of mothers were in the age group (26-35) and no mother had used folic acid before pregnancy. The neural arch defect involved three vertebrae in 23.5% of myelomeningocele cases and one vertebra in 40.9% of meningocele cases. Complete absence of laminae was seen in 66.3% of cases. In 55.8% of patients the defect was less than one centimeter in width. None of mothers used folic acid before getting pregnant and about half of mothers used it after they detected their pregnancy.