查看文章

Congenital malformations are a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality in the United States (7). In 1985, birth defects were the leading cause of infant mortality (2) and the fifth leading cause of years of potential life lost (3). Birth defects contribute significantly to chronic disease morbidity and related medical costs. Approximately 30% of all admissions to pediatric hospitals are associated with birth defects, and expenditures for medical care have been estimated at $1.4 billion per year (4). All populations share the burden of congenital malformations, although the frequency and types of malformations may vary by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (5-11). Access to medical care, nutrition, maternal lifestyles, and education are considered to be important factors in the occurrence of neural tube defects (5). Erickson (6) reported that in Atlanta, Georgia, the incidence of several common birth defects varies …