Taboada LN, Mollineda TÁ, Herrera MM, Algora HAE, Noche GG, Noa MMD

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 299-309
PDF size: 175.07 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: individual congenital defects stem from a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors such as serum trace element levels that play an essential role in the epigenetic regulation of the embryonic-fetal development program. Objectives: to identify the most common specific type of neural tube defect in Villa Clara province and its relationship with the maternal serum alpha fetoprotein levels, determine the possible variation of these defects in time and the serum zinc and copper levels in mothers with affected offspring. Methods: analytical case-control study conducted in Villa Clara province. The universe of study was 43 women having children with neural tube defects including the born alive and every elective cessation due to this cause in the 2011-2015 fiveyear period. A sample of 11 women with affected children was selected from January 2014 to December 2015; a positive control (mothers with children with other congenital defects) and a negative control (mothers with healthy children) was selected per each case. The serum zinc and copper levels of 33 women included in the sample were determined through the atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: the adjusted prevalence rate of the last five years in Villa Clara province was 5.47 x 1 000 newborns and the maternal zinc deficiency was associated to neural tube defects in the offspring. Conclusions: it is concluded that the maternal zinc deficiency is a risk factor for this type of congenital defect.