[Frequency of neural tube defects in public maternity during 1999 in Santiago, Chile].

BACKGROUND

Fortification of wheat flour with folic acid in Chile, started in January 2000. This fortification should decrease the incidence of neural tube defects.

AIM

To study the incidence of neural tube defects among Chilean newborns, during 1999.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The records of all newborns and stillbirths with a birth weight over 500 g from 9 public maternity hospitals in Santiago in 1999, were reviewed. All neural tube defects, associated or not to other malformations were taken into account.

RESULTS

During the study period, 59.627 newborns and 455 stillbirths were analyzed. The global incidence of neural tube defects was 1.56 per 1.000 born (57% women, 42% men and 1% ambiguous sex). Spina bifida was the most frequent neural tube defect found.

CONCLUSION

These baseline data will be useful to assess the impact of folic acid fortification of wheat flour.