Neural tube defects in newborns

To study the incidence of neural tube defect [anencephaly, spina bifida cystica and encephalocele] in patients delivered at the Princess Badeea Teaching Hospital in Broth Jordan, and to discuss the possible ways to reduce them. We reviewed all cases of neural tube defects referred to, and delivered at this main referral hospital in the North of Jordan between 1st of January 1995 and 31st of December 1996. During the study period, there were 55 cases of neural tube defects [2.91000 birth], of these 26 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 mot common site of spina bifida was the dorsolumbar in 13 [50%], lumbosacral 5 [19.3%], cervical 4 [15.4%], lumbar 3 [11.5%]. There were 10 cases 10 cases of encephalocele, in 9 [90%] cases the encephalocele was occipital. Five [50%] cases of encephalocele was associated with other malformations while 19 [73%] of spina bifida cases were associated with other malformations. The incidence of neural tube defects is high because of increased awareness, and antenatal diagnosis of neural tube defect. We able to reduce such by advising women in the childbearing age to take daily vitamins which contain folic acid before they become pregnant

Gastroschisis

We present three cases with a rare congenital anomaly called gastroschisis. One was born with whole midgut protruding out of the abdominal wall; the eviscerated gut was nonviable for which resection was done. Two cases had staged reduction by prosthetic silo made of new material. First case died after the operation, second case has survived with a big ventral hernia and third case died 8 hours after operation due to prematurity

Half nose a rare congenital malformation

Absence of one of the nose is a rare congenital abnormality. It may be the sole developmental malformation or may be associated with other deformities. A case report of 1 month old child with absence of right half of the nose is presented

Fatal malformations in Jamaica

Babies with major malformations were identified during the Jamaica Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey. They were in 96 (8.6 por ciento ) of 1112 perinatal and neonatal deaths coming to necropsy and in 25 (2.35 por ciento ) of 1085 other deaths. The central nervous system was not most commonly affected, followed by the renal, gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular system in decreasing order of frequency. Many infants had abnormalities in more than one system and 10 malfomation syndromes/sequences were identified. Although at the present time, major malformations make only a small contribution to perinatal and neonatal mortality in Jamaica, its importance will increase as there is a fall in deaths related to perinatal asphyxia, currently the major cause of perinatal mortality in Jamaica. Although many malformations are currently untreatable, it is important to take account of gastro-intestinal defects when planning surgical services for the newborn, since these are the most easily remediable.