Birth defects in newborns: Spina bifi da index at Rio Grande Do Norte State in Brazil

Abstract

C. M. Arnaldo, Paula Rubya Souza Câmara

Objective: Among birth defects (BD) or congenital anomalies, spina bifida (SB) is the most common congenital malformation of the central nervous system that is associated with significant lifelong morbidity. We aimed to obtain statistics index of SB in newborns at Rio Grande do Norte (RN) state, Brazil, as well as to identify perinatal risk and to update therapeutic options to minimize the mortality in newborn with SB congenital defects. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of SB index in newborn in Pediatric Hospitals at RN State, Brazil, over the 6 years from 2008 to 2013 and literature review about SB global status was made at PubMed database, reference lists of selected publications and important research groups in the field of SB. Conclusion: Northeast region is the one that has the major incidence of SB in Brazil country, but RN state has a number lower than others states from its region. It was made an update about therapeutic options to minimize the morbidity and mortality in newborn with SB congenital defects.