ABSTRACT
This study aimed at identifying the incidence of neural tube defects [anencephaly, spina bifida cystica and encephalocele] in patients delivered at the princess Badeea Teaching Hospital [PBTH] in North Jordan and to discuss possible ways to reduce them. we reviewed all cases of neural tube defects [NTD] referred to this main hospital in the North of Jordan between 1st January 1995and 31st December 1996. During the study period, there were 55 cases of NTD [2.9/1000 births], of these cases of spina bifida cystica [1.36/1000], 10 cases of encephalocele [0.52/1000], and 19 cases of anencephaly [0.99/1000]. The overall female to male ratio was 1:0.77. The sites of spina bifida were dorsolumbar in 13 [50%], lumbosacral 5 [19.3%], cervical 4 [15.4%] and lumbar 3 [11.5%]. There were 10 cases of encephalocele, in 9 cases [90%] the encephalocele was occipital. Five [50%] cases of encephalocele were associated with malformation while 19 cases [73%] of spina bifida were associated with other malformation. The incidence of NTD is high and probably on the increase in Jordan. We may be able to reduce such defects by advising women of childbearing age to take daily vitamins that contain folic acid before they become pregnant