Neural tube defects in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007: Are periconceptual folic acid recommendations being followed?

Andrea Poretti; Tanja Anheier; Roland Zimmermann; Eugen Boltshauser; Ch Aebi; E. Antonelli; W. Bär; V. Bernet; M. Bianchetti; M. Bittel; A. Blumberg; H. U. Bucher; L. Buetti; E. Bussmann; O. Carrel; P. O. Cattin; A. Corboz; P. Diebold; P. Dolivo; F. Farron; M. Gehri; E. Giannoni; C. A. Haenggeli; M. Hodel; J. Hohlfeld; P. Hüppi; P. Imahorn; O. Irion; Ch Kind; W. Kistler; B. Knöpfli; O. Lapaire; B. Laubscher; R. Leuthardt; U. Lips; A. Malzacher; J. Mayr; J. Mc Dougall; J. L. Micheli; M. Mönkhoff; T. J. Neuhaus; V. Pezzoli; L. Reinhard; F. Renevey; H. Roten; Ch Rudin; V. Schlumbom; M. Schwöbel; S. Sizonenko; S. Stocker; Ch Stüssi; R. Tabin; P. Terrier; B. Wildhaber; J. Wildhaber; J. Wisser; M. Wopmann; Z. Zachariou; G. Zeilinger; A. Zemmouri; U. Zimmermann; H. Zimmermann; D. Beeli

Neural tube defects in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007: Are periconceptual folic acid recommendations being followed?

Andrea Poretti, Tanja Anheier, Roland Zimmermann, Eugen Boltshauser, Ch Aebi, E. Antonelli, W. Bär, V. Bernet, M. Bianchetti, M. Bittel, A. Blumberg, H. U. Bucher, L. Buetti, E. Bussmann, O. Carrel, P. O. Cattin, A. Corboz, P. Diebold, P. Dolivo, F. FarronM. Gehri, E. Giannoni, C. A. Haenggeli, M. Hodel, J. Hohlfeld, P. Hüppi, P. Imahorn, O. Irion, Ch Kind, W. Kistler, B. Knöpfli, O. Lapaire, B. Laubscher, R. Leuthardt, U. Lips, A. Malzacher, J. Mayr, J. Mc Dougall, J. L. Micheli, M. Mönkhoff, T. J. Neuhaus, V. Pezzoli, L. Reinhard, F. Renevey, H. Roten, Ch Rudin, V. Schlumbom, M. Schwöbel, S. Sizonenko, S. Stocker, Ch Stüssi, R. Tabin, P. Terrier, B. Wildhaber, J. Wildhaber, J. Wisser, M. Wopmann, Z. Zachariou, G. Zeilinger, A. Zemmouri, U. Zimmermann, H. Zimmermann, D. Beeli

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common congenital anomalies. Their aetiology is complex, with both genetic and environmental factors implicated. The present study was performed to analyse the birth prevalence of NTD in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007 and to identify possible risk factors. Methods: Diagnosed cases of NTD in all paediatric units in Switzerland and four prenatal centres were reported to the Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit from January 2001 to December 2007. Patient, mother, and NTD characteristics were assessed prospectively with a questionnaire. Results: Data of 140 newborns and foetuses with NTD were studied. The major group suffered from myelomeningocele (70%), followed by anencephaly (16%) and encephalocele (14%). The prevalence of NTD in live born children between 2001 and 2007 was 0.13‰, corresponding to 9-10 affected newborns each year. About the same number of pregnancies was terminated annually. Correct periconceptual folic acid supplementation was taken by 5% of the women. Remarkably, 39% of the women with an affected pregnancy were not Swiss citizens - almost twice the proportion of foreigners living in Switzerland. Conclusions: NTDs remain a frequent problem in Switzerland. Although correct periconceptual folic acid supplementation is effective in reducing the prevalence of NTD, women still do not follow these recommendations. Possible reasons are lack of awareness and communication problems. Consequently, only a public health policy that includes folic acid fortification of food is likely to result in significant prevention of NTD.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	608-613
Number of pages	6
Journal	Swiss medical weekly
Volume	138
Issue number	41-42
State	Published - Oct 18 2008
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Anencephaly
Encephalocele
Folic acid supplementation
Myelomeningocele
Neural tube defects

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Medicine

Cite this

Poretti, A., Anheier, T., Zimmermann, R., Boltshauser, E., Aebi, C., Antonelli, E., Bär, W., Bernet, V., Bianchetti, M., Bittel, M., Blumberg, A., Bucher, H. U., Buetti, L., Bussmann, E., Carrel, O., Cattin, P. O., Corboz, A., Diebold, P., Dolivo, P., ... Beeli, D. (2008). Neural tube defects in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007: Are periconceptual folic acid recommendations being followed? Swiss medical weekly, 138(41-42), 608-613.

Poretti, A, Anheier, T, Zimmermann, R, Boltshauser, E, Aebi, C, Antonelli, E, Bär, W, Bernet, V, Bianchetti, M, Bittel, M, Blumberg, A, Bucher, HU, Buetti, L, Bussmann, E, Carrel, O, Cattin, PO, Corboz, A, Diebold, P, Dolivo, P, Farron, F, Gehri, M, Giannoni, E, Haenggeli, CA, Hodel, M, Hohlfeld, J, Hüppi, P, Imahorn, P, Irion, O, Kind, C, Kistler, W, Knöpfli, B, Lapaire, O, Laubscher, B, Leuthardt, R, Lips, U, Malzacher, A, Mayr, J, Mc Dougall, J, Micheli, JL, Mönkhoff, M, Neuhaus, TJ, Pezzoli, V, Reinhard, L, Renevey, F, Roten, H, Rudin, C, Schlumbom, V, Schwöbel, M, Sizonenko, S, Stocker, S, Stüssi, C, Tabin, R, Terrier, P, Wildhaber, B, Wildhaber, J, Wisser, J, Wopmann, M, Zachariou, Z, Zeilinger, G, Zemmouri, A, Zimmermann, U, Zimmermann, H & Beeli, D 2008, 'Neural tube defects in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007: Are periconceptual folic acid recommendations being followed?', Swiss medical weekly, vol. 138, no. 41-42, pp. 608-613.

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title = "Neural tube defects in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007: Are periconceptual folic acid recommendations being followed?",

abstract = "Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common congenital anomalies. Their aetiology is complex, with both genetic and environmental factors implicated. The present study was performed to analyse the birth prevalence of NTD in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007 and to identify possible risk factors. Methods: Diagnosed cases of NTD in all paediatric units in Switzerland and four prenatal centres were reported to the Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit from January 2001 to December 2007. Patient, mother, and NTD characteristics were assessed prospectively with a questionnaire. Results: Data of 140 newborns and foetuses with NTD were studied. The major group suffered from myelomeningocele (70%), followed by anencephaly (16%) and encephalocele (14%). The prevalence of NTD in live born children between 2001 and 2007 was 0.13‰, corresponding to 9-10 affected newborns each year. About the same number of pregnancies was terminated annually. Correct periconceptual folic acid supplementation was taken by 5% of the women. Remarkably, 39% of the women with an affected pregnancy were not Swiss citizens - almost twice the proportion of foreigners living in Switzerland. Conclusions: NTDs remain a frequent problem in Switzerland. Although correct periconceptual folic acid supplementation is effective in reducing the prevalence of NTD, women still do not follow these recommendations. Possible reasons are lack of awareness and communication problems. Consequently, only a public health policy that includes folic acid fortification of food is likely to result in significant prevention of NTD.",

keywords = "Anencephaly, Encephalocele, Folic acid supplementation, Myelomeningocele, Neural tube defects",

author = "Andrea Poretti and Tanja Anheier and Roland Zimmermann and Eugen Boltshauser and Ch Aebi and E. Antonelli and W. B{\"a}r and V. Bernet and M. Bianchetti and M. Bittel and A. Blumberg and Bucher, {H. U.} and L. Buetti and E. Bussmann and O. Carrel and Cattin, {P. O.} and A. Corboz and P. Diebold and P. Dolivo and F. Farron and M. Gehri and E. Giannoni and Haenggeli, {C. A.} and M. Hodel and J. Hohlfeld and P. H{\"u}ppi and P. Imahorn and O. Irion and Ch Kind and W. Kistler and B. Kn{\"o}pfli and O. Lapaire and B. Laubscher and R. Leuthardt and U. Lips and A. Malzacher and J. Mayr and {Mc Dougall}, J. and Micheli, {J. L.} and M. M{\"o}nkhoff and Neuhaus, {T. J.} and V. Pezzoli and L. Reinhard and F. Renevey and H. Roten and Ch Rudin and V. Schlumbom and M. Schw{\"o}bel and S. Sizonenko and S. Stocker and Ch St{\"u}ssi and R. Tabin and P. Terrier and B. Wildhaber and J. Wildhaber and J. Wisser and M. Wopmann and Z. Zachariou and G. Zeilinger and A. Zemmouri and U. Zimmermann and H. Zimmermann and D. Beeli",

year = "2008",

month = oct,

day = "18",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "138",

pages = "608--613",

journal = "Swiss medical weekly",

issn = "1424-7860",

publisher = "EMH Swiss Medical Publishers Ltd.",

number = "41-42",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Neural tube defects in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007

T2 - Are periconceptual folic acid recommendations being followed?

AU - Poretti, Andrea

AU - Anheier, Tanja

AU - Zimmermann, Roland

AU - Boltshauser, Eugen

AU - Aebi, Ch

AU - Antonelli, E.

AU - Bär, W.

AU - Bernet, V.

AU - Bianchetti, M.

AU - Bittel, M.

AU - Blumberg, A.

AU - Bucher, H. U.

AU - Buetti, L.

AU - Bussmann, E.

AU - Carrel, O.

AU - Cattin, P. O.

AU - Corboz, A.

AU - Diebold, P.

AU - Dolivo, P.

AU - Farron, F.

AU - Gehri, M.

AU - Giannoni, E.

AU - Haenggeli, C. A.

AU - Hodel, M.

AU - Hohlfeld, J.

AU - Hüppi, P.

AU - Imahorn, P.

AU - Irion, O.

AU - Kind, Ch

AU - Kistler, W.

AU - Knöpfli, B.

AU - Lapaire, O.

AU - Laubscher, B.

AU - Leuthardt, R.

AU - Lips, U.

AU - Malzacher, A.

AU - Mayr, J.

AU - Mc Dougall, J.

AU - Micheli, J. L.

AU - Mönkhoff, M.

AU - Neuhaus, T. J.

AU - Pezzoli, V.

AU - Reinhard, L.

AU - Renevey, F.

AU - Roten, H.

AU - Rudin, Ch

AU - Schlumbom, V.

AU - Schwöbel, M.

AU - Sizonenko, S.

AU - Stocker, S.

AU - Stüssi, Ch

AU - Tabin, R.

AU - Terrier, P.

AU - Wildhaber, B.

AU - Wildhaber, J.

AU - Wisser, J.

AU - Wopmann, M.

AU - Zachariou, Z.

AU - Zeilinger, G.

AU - Zemmouri, A.

AU - Zimmermann, U.

AU - Zimmermann, H.

AU - Beeli, D.

PY - 2008/10/18

Y1 - 2008/10/18

N2 - Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common congenital anomalies. Their aetiology is complex, with both genetic and environmental factors implicated. The present study was performed to analyse the birth prevalence of NTD in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007 and to identify possible risk factors. Methods: Diagnosed cases of NTD in all paediatric units in Switzerland and four prenatal centres were reported to the Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit from January 2001 to December 2007. Patient, mother, and NTD characteristics were assessed prospectively with a questionnaire. Results: Data of 140 newborns and foetuses with NTD were studied. The major group suffered from myelomeningocele (70%), followed by anencephaly (16%) and encephalocele (14%). The prevalence of NTD in live born children between 2001 and 2007 was 0.13‰, corresponding to 9-10 affected newborns each year. About the same number of pregnancies was terminated annually. Correct periconceptual folic acid supplementation was taken by 5% of the women. Remarkably, 39% of the women with an affected pregnancy were not Swiss citizens - almost twice the proportion of foreigners living in Switzerland. Conclusions: NTDs remain a frequent problem in Switzerland. Although correct periconceptual folic acid supplementation is effective in reducing the prevalence of NTD, women still do not follow these recommendations. Possible reasons are lack of awareness and communication problems. Consequently, only a public health policy that includes folic acid fortification of food is likely to result in significant prevention of NTD.

AB - Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common congenital anomalies. Their aetiology is complex, with both genetic and environmental factors implicated. The present study was performed to analyse the birth prevalence of NTD in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007 and to identify possible risk factors. Methods: Diagnosed cases of NTD in all paediatric units in Switzerland and four prenatal centres were reported to the Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit from January 2001 to December 2007. Patient, mother, and NTD characteristics were assessed prospectively with a questionnaire. Results: Data of 140 newborns and foetuses with NTD were studied. The major group suffered from myelomeningocele (70%), followed by anencephaly (16%) and encephalocele (14%). The prevalence of NTD in live born children between 2001 and 2007 was 0.13‰, corresponding to 9-10 affected newborns each year. About the same number of pregnancies was terminated annually. Correct periconceptual folic acid supplementation was taken by 5% of the women. Remarkably, 39% of the women with an affected pregnancy were not Swiss citizens - almost twice the proportion of foreigners living in Switzerland. Conclusions: NTDs remain a frequent problem in Switzerland. Although correct periconceptual folic acid supplementation is effective in reducing the prevalence of NTD, women still do not follow these recommendations. Possible reasons are lack of awareness and communication problems. Consequently, only a public health policy that includes folic acid fortification of food is likely to result in significant prevention of NTD.

KW - Anencephaly

KW - Encephalocele

KW - Folic acid supplementation

KW - Myelomeningocele

KW - Neural tube defects

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JF - Swiss medical weekly

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ER -

Neural tube defects in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007: Are periconceptual folic acid recommendations being followed?

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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