INCIDENCE OF NEURAL-TUBE DEFECTS AT LUCKNOW OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1982-1991

Open neural tube defects (NTD) in babies, occurring over a 10 yr perio d (1982-91), in four major maternity hospitals of Lucknow, were identi fied to analyse the incidence of this disorder. The overall incidence of NTD was found to be 3.9/1000. It was significantly higher in the te aching hospital compared to non-teaching hospitals. But there was no s ignificant difference in the incidence of NTD between the Government a nd Private hospitals. During the decade (1982-91) under study there wa s no decline in NTD births. These data could serve as base-line for th e incidence of NTD in north India, as NTD is expected to decline with the introduction of folic acid for the prevention of NTD.