NEURAL-TUBE DEFECTS AND CONGENITAL HYDROCEPHALUS IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

A retrospective study was carried out in Oman to determine the inciden ce of neural tube defects (NTD) and congenital hydrocephalus (CB) and to identify any possible associations. National data retrieved from ho spital records revealed the incidence of NTD in Oman to be comparative ly low (1.25 per 1000), but the incidence of CH was much higher than t hat seen in Western Europe (0.44 per 1000) and was found to be associa ted with high rates of other congenital anomalies and neonatal death. There were no specific environmental factors associated with NTD and h igh environmental temperatures during the tropical desert summer (temp eratures reach 48 degrees C) were excluded as a causative factor. In s pina bifida families, later born children were more likely to be affec ted and there was also an association with increased maternal but not paternal age, Much higher consanguinity rates were noted in families w ith NTD and CH than In the general population.