Prevalence of neural tube defects in Australia prior to mandatory fortification of bread-making flour with folic acid

Abstract

Objective: To establish baseline prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD5) prior to mandatory folic acid fortification in Australia. Method: Retrospective population based study. Data from the Australian Congenital Anomalies Monitoring System, for 1998-2005 were used to calculate birth prevalence including live/stillbirths of at least 20 weeks gestation or 400 g birthweight. Total prevalence and trends of NTD including terminations of pregnancy (TOPs) before 20 weeks were established using data from South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia because of the incomplete ascertainment in other states. Results:The birth prevalence of NTDs from 1998-2005, was 5/10,000 births. The total prevale..