Are omphalocele and neural tube defects related congenital anomalies?

AuthorE Calzolari
AbstractWe have analyzed the association between omphalocele and neural tube defects (O/NTD) previously reported in epidemiological studies of EUROCAT registry data. By examining differences in prevalence between the United Kingdom and Ireland (UKI) and Continental Europe and Malta (CEM) and differences in sex ratio, the possible etiopathogenetic differences between O/NTD association and omphalocele without NTD and NTD without omphalocele were investigated. The distribution of O/NTD cases according to NTD site in the two geographic areas shows in the UKI a tendency for omphalocele to associate with anencephaly/spina bifida and with anencephaly. In CEM centers, these types of NTD are much rarer. The pattern of other anomalies occurring in combination with O/NTD association in the same babies was also analysed.

Published in:
JournalAm J Med Genet
Volume72(1)
Pages79 - 84
Date
Link to journal

Key wordsomphalocele, neural tube defects, congenital anomalies, registry, epidemiology

Compiled by: Dr. I. Stabile    Dr. J. Pace