Periconceptional factors affect the risk of neural tube defects in offspring: A hospital-based case-control study in China

摘要

Objective: To explore the periconceptional factors affecting the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), we carried out a hospital-based case-control study in China. Methods: A 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted. With self-designed questionnaires, we solicited relevant information from 459 case mothers and 459 control mothers selected in two provinces of China through face-to-face interviews. Univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect values by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) with SAS9.1.3.software. Results: Daily passive tobacco smoke exposure was a risk factor for total NTDs (OR=8.688, 95%CI=2.329-32.404). Diet adjustment in the first trimester (OR=0.061, 95%CI=0.014-0.274), periconceptional folic acid intake (OR=0.059, 95%CI=0.011-0.321) and health education (OR=0.251, 95%CI=0.081-0.781) were protective factors for total NTDs. Differences in factors and their effects on NTDs were found for the three subtypes of NTDs: anencephaly, spina bifida and encephalocele. Conclusions: Daily passive tobacco smoke exposure, diet adjustment in the first trimester, periconceptional folic acid intake and health education were associated with NTDs.