Prenatal Screening for Open Neural-Tube Defects in Maine

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Abstract
In the United States, screening for open neural-tube defects is now part of routine prenatal care.1 The two most common defects (anencephaly and open spina bifida) are important causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although prenatal screening with the use of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein measurements is widespread, there is little information available on the effect such screening has on the prevalence of these defects. Such information would be helpful for health care planning. A pilot study was sponsored by the New England Regional Genetics Group, both to document the current use of prenatal screening and to establish the base-line prevalence of open neural-tube defects, before the introduction of grain products fortified with folic acid, as approved by the Food and Drug Administration.2 Folic acid supplementation reduces the occurrence of open neural-tube defects.3

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