Unexpected trent of neural tube deffects in Elazığ: New data

Birth prevalances of total neural tube defects and anencephaly were monitored among all live-and still-births delivered between January 1983 and December 1993. Of the 11502 newborns, 38 had neural tube defects, giving a birth pre­ valence of 3.3 per 1000 total births. Of these, 33 were anencephalic (2.8 per 1000). In all of 5532 conception estimated to have occurred prior to the Chernobyl disaster in May 1986, the birth prevalences of total neural tube defects and anencephally were the same (1.8 per 1000). However, the rates of neural tube defects and anencephaly increased to levels of 6.9 and 5.5 per 1000, respectively, during the period 1988-1990, subsequently gradually declining the previous levels within three years. This dramatic change in birth prevalence which parallels to a previous finding from Turkey, suggests that this finding may be associated with the Chernobyl disaster of May 1986. Therefore, new studies from both Turkey and other European countries are needed in order to explain this unexpected trend. [Turk J Med Res 1996, 14 (3):89-91]