Periconceptional folic acid intake: a one year survey among mothers of patients with myelomeningocele in a regional neurosurgical centre in Northwestern Nigeria

Usman Daibu; Ali Lasseini; Babagana Usman; Mohammed Babagana; Aliyu Muhammad Koko; Nasiru Jinjiri Ismail; Bello Bala Shehu

doi:10.18203/2349-2902.isj20240165

Authors

Usman Daibu Department of Surgery, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Ali Lasseini Department of Neurosurgery, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Babagana Usman Department of Neurosurgery, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Mohammed Babagana Department of Surgery, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Aliyu Muhammad Koko Department of Neurosurgery, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Nasiru Jinjiri Ismail Department of Neurosurgery, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Bello Bala Shehu Department of Neurosurgery, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20240165

Keywords:

Myelomeningocele, Folic acid, Periconceptional, Prevention, Knowledge, Mothers

Abstract

Background: Management of myelomeningocele, the most common neural tube defect in our environment, is quite challenging, and the outcome is usually less pleasing to parents/caregivers. Periconceptional folic acid ingestion reduces the incidence, especially in developed countries with mandated policies for folic acid fortification of staple foods. Awareness of preventive role of folic acid and periconceptional intake has not been studied in our centre. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of the proper intake of folic acid in preventing Myelomeningocele among mothers of patients with myelomeningocele.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at Usmanu Danfodiyo university teaching hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto state, Nigeria over 12 months period after obtaining ethical clearance and informed consent. Data of mothers of patients with myelomeningocele who presented to the neurosurgical outpatient clinic of our facility was entered into a well-designed proforma. Data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, and results were presented in tables and pie chart.

Results: Fifty-four mothers were recruited. The most common age range was 20-35 years (70%), with a mean age of 23.8 years±5.49 SD. Nineteen (35%) out of 54 mothers had heard prior information about folic acid, and only 16 (30%) were aware of its appropriate time of intake in preventing myelomeningocele. None of the mothers ingested folic acid in the periconceptional period.

Conclusions: There was poor awareness and knowledge of the appropriate timing of folic acid intake in preventing Myelomeningocele in our centre.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Shehu BB. Repair of Myelomeningocele. how i do it. J surg Tech case Report. 2009;1(1):42-7.

Ismail NJ, Lasseini A, Koko AM, Shehu BB. Clinical profile of spina bifida cystica: six year review from a regional centre, in Nigeria. IJRR. 2017;4(5):100-4.

Flores AL, Vellozzi C, Valencia D, Sniezek J. Global burden of neural tube defects, risk factors and prevention. Indian J Community Health. 2014;26(1):3-5.

Date I, Yagyu Y, Asari S, Ohmoto T. Long-term outcome in surgically treated spina bifida cystica. Surg Neurol. 1993;40(6):471-5.

Zurmohle UM, Homann T, Schroeter C, Rothgerber H, Hommel G, Ermert J. Psychosocial adjustment of children with spina bifida. J Child Neurol. 1998;13(2):64-70.

Kinsman SL, Johnson MV: Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton FB, Jenson HB, Behrman R (eds). Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics 19th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders. 2011;877-87.

Mashuda F, Zuechner A, Chalya PL, Kidenya BR, Manyama M. Pattern and factors associated with congenital anomalies among young infants admitted at Bugando medical centre, Mwanza, Tanzania. BMC Res Notes. 2014;7:195.

Alan RC, Shenandoah R. Myelomeningocele and myelocystocele. In:Richard HW (ed). Youman neurological surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders. 2004;3215-3.

Safi J, Joyeux L, Chalouhi GE. Periconceptional folate deficiency and implications in neural tube defects'. J Pregnancy. 2012;2012:1-9.

Yi Y, Lindemann M, Colligs A, Snowball C. Economic burden of neural tube defects and impact of prevention with folic acid: a literature review. Eur J Pediatr. 2011;170(11):1391-400.

Uba AF, Isamade ES, Chirdan LB, Edino ST, Ogbe ME, Igun GO. Epidemiology of neural tube defects in North central Nigeria. Afr J Pediatr Surg. 2004;1:16-9.

Okon UA, Ibrahim BS, Usman R, Adedire E, Balogun MS, Olayinka A. Awareness and use of folic acid among women of child bearing age in Benue state, Nigeria. Pan Afr Med J. 2020;37:60.

Abdulrazzaq YM, Al-Gazali LI, Bener A, Hossein M, Verghese M, Dawodu A et al. Folic acid awareness and intake survey in the United Arab Emirates. Reprod Toxicol. 2003;17(2):171-6.

Coll O, Pisa S, Palacio M, Quinto L, Cararach V. Awareness of the use of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects in a Mediterranean area. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2014;115(2):173-7.

Nnadi DC, Singh S. The prevalence of neural tube defects in North-west Nigeria. Saudi J Health Sci. 2016;5:6-10.

Anyanwu LJC, Danborno B, Hamman WO. The prevalence of neural tube defects in live born neonates in Kano, North-western Nigeria. Sub-Saharan Afr J Med. 2015;2:105-9.

Golalipour MJ, Najafi L, Keshtkar AA. Prevalence of anencephaly in Gorgan, northern Iran. Arch Iran Med 2010;13(1):34-7.

El Koumi MA, Al Banna EA, Lebda I. Patterns of congenital anomalies in newborn: a hospital based study. Pediatr Rep. 2013;5(1):e5.

Anzaku AS. Assessing folic acid awareness and its usage for the prevention of neural tube defects among pregnant women in Jos, Nigeria. J Basic Clin Repro Sci. 2013;2(1):13-7.

Usman B, Abubakar AM. Awareness and knowledge of the preventive role of folic acid among mothers of patients with neural tube defect. Jewel J Sci Res. 2021;2:(1):24-32.

Gedefaw A, Teklu S, Tadesse BT. Magnitude of neural tube defects and associated risk factor at three teaching hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Hindawi BioMed Res Int. 2018;2018:4829023.

Nawapun K, Phupong V. Awareness of the benefits of folic acid and prevalence of the use of folic acid supplements to prevent neural tube defects among Thai women. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2007;276:53-7

Eghwrudjakpor PO, Amadi CE, Amusan EO. Evaluation of the level of awareness of the role of folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects among women of reproductive age in a tertiary health institution. Niger J Med. 2011;20:207-12.

Rabiu TB, Tiamiyu LO, Awoyinka BS. Awareness of spina bifida and periconceptional use of folic acid among pregnant women in a developing economy. Childs Nerv Syst. 2012;28:2115-9.

Salih MA, Murshid WR, Seidahmed MZ. Epidemiology, prenatal management and prevention of neural tube defects. Saudi Med J. 2014; 35:(1):15-28.

Ahluwalia IB, Daniel KL. Are women with recent live births aware of the benefit of folic acid? MMWR Recomm Rep. 2001;50(RR6):3-14.

Ren A, Zhang L, Li Z, Hao L, Tian Y, Li Z. Awareness and use of folic acid and blood folate concentrations among pregnant women in northern China- an area with a high prevalence of neural tube defects. Reprod Toxicol. 2006;22:(3):431-6.

Nosrat SB, Sedehi M, Golalipour MJ: Knowledge and practice of urban Iranian pregnant women towards folic acid intake for neural tube defect prevention. J Pak Med Assoc 2012;62(8):785-9.

Kari JA, Bardisi ES, Baitalmal RM, Ageely GA. Folic acid awareness among female college students: neural tube defects prevention. Saudi Med J. 2008;29(12):1749-51.

Oddy WH, Miller M, Payne JM, Serna P, Bower CI. Awareness and consumption of folate-fortified foods by women of child bearing age in Western Australia. Publ Heal Nutr. 2007;10(10):989-95.

Idowu OE, Disu ES, Anga AL, Fabanwo OA. Clinical profile of cranial and spinal dysraphism in Lagos, Nigeria. J Pediatr Neurol. 2008;6:145-50.

Adeleye AO, Dairo MD, Olowookere KG. Central nervous system congenital malformation in a developing country: issues and challenges against their prevention. Childs Nerv Syst. 2010;26(7):919-24.

Al-Ani ZR, Al-Hiali SJ, AL-Mehimdi SM. Neural tube defects among neonates delivered in the Al-Ramadi maternity and children's hospital western Iraq. Saudi Med J. 2010;31(2):163-9.

Sayers GM, Hughes N, Scallan E, Johnson Z. A survey of knowledge and use of folic acid among women of child bearing age in Dublin. J Public Health Med. 1997;19(3):328-32.

AbdRabou MA. Awareness of folic acid intake for prevention of neural tube defects among women in Sakaka, Saudi Arabia. Int J Pharmocol. 2019;15(2):274-9.

Ward M, Hutton J, Mc Donnell R, Bachir N, Scallan E, O'Leary M et al. Folic acid supplements to prevent neural tube defects: trends in East of Ireland 1996-2002. Ir Med J. 2004;97(9):274-6.

Taiwo AL, Adeleye OA. Determinants of folic acid intake during pre-conception and in early pregnancy by mothers in Ibadan, Nigeria. Pan Afr Med J. 2014;19:113.

Morin P, De Wals P, St-Cry-Tribble D, Niyonsenga T, payette H. Pregnancy planning: a determinant of folic acid supplements use for the primary prevention of neural tube defects. Can J Public Health. 2002;93(4):259-63.

Kloeblen AS. Folate knowledge, intake from fortified grain products, and periconceptional supplementation patterns of a sample of low-income pregnant women according to the Health Belief Model. J Am Diet Assoc. 1999;99(1):33-8.