Prevalence of neural tube defects and their associated factors in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are critical birth deformities affecting the central nervous system, causing high morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This systematic review assesses their prevalence and contributing factors in SSA.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, AJOL, EMBASE, and Science Direct were searched on January 7, 2025 with additional reference articles and gray literature. Studies published in English from 2010 to 2024 were included.

RESULTS

Out of 763 articles, 22 met inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of NTDs in SSA was 69.8 per 10,000 births (95% CI (confidence interval), 52.8-94.3). Spina bifida had the highest prevalence at 19.43 per 10,000 births (95% CI, 13.76-21.55), anencephaly at 5.77 per 10,000 births (95% CI, 3.22-9.44), and encephalocele at 1.27 per 10,000 births (95% CI, 1.03-3.11). Significant factors associated with NTDs included lack of folic acid supplementation (AOR: 0.42; 95% CI, 0.13-0.98), maternal age > 30 (AOR-Adjusted odds ratio, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.31-7.78), newborn sex (AOR, 3.42; 95% CI, 2.53-8.77), consanguineous marriage (AOR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.22-8.68), pesticide exposure (AOR, 3.12; 95% CI, 2.33-8.41), maternal alcohol consumption (AOR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.13-4.98), previous NTD history, radiation exposure (AOR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.13-3.91), maternal fever (AOR, 3.22; 95% CI, 2.16-5.32), and previous stillbirth history (AOR, 2.55; 95% CI, 2.16-4.11).

CONCLUSION

NTDs remain prevalent in SSA, with many avoidable factors. Folic acid fortification and supplementation for reproductive-age women could significantly reduce the burden of NTDs.