Spina Bifida and Anencephalus in Greater London

摘要: In order to make comparisons with the findings in a high frequency area, South Wales, those low south-east England, birth and family study was made of all births neural tube malformations (spina bifida cystica, encephalocele, anencephaly, iniencephaly) 32 33 London Boroughs over 3-year period from 1 April 1965 31 March 1968. The were ascertained through local authority registers, stillbirth infant death certificates, hospital records. frequencies found 1·54 for spina (including encephalocele) 1·41 anencephaly iniencephaly). This less than four tenths Wales frequency. Evidence an excess winter both types malformation, peak conceptions February, March, April. The parents 870 original 1209 index patients traced visited survey. usual social class effect seen, deficit fathers I II. distribution legitimately born standardized maternal age showed only small firstborn rather lateborn. For age, however, order, there mothers under 20 35 years age. whole sample striking India Pakistan compared West Indies relation households immigrant 1966 Census. A 164 matched controls had more Ireland fewer England controls. The proportions sibs affected 3·42% 5·44% anencephaly. after patient 5·17 4·17%, respectively. overall risk lower that shown survey, but substantially higher relative population not apparently influenced by father's indication mother's class, where mother grown up I, II, or IIIa home. There no apparent influence grandparental place. other sib. Among cousins significant increase seen sisters' children. The findings, like earlier surveys, suggest multifactorial aetiology malformations, depending on genetic predisposition environmental triggers.