Tuesday, December 12, 2017

ACOG updates its guidance on Neural Tube Defects


ACOG has recently released its updated guidance on Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) and includes guidelines about prevention, screening, antenatal management and delivery in pregnancies with  such defects. The practice bulletin No.187 is published in December issue of Journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.

NTDs is the second most common group of congenital malformation after cardiac anomalies. The prevalence differs according to race, region and environmental influences.

In contrast to other malformations, NTDs are preventable by supplementation of folic acid.  

The recommendations:


ACOG along with other professional organizations like CDC, AAFP, AAP, ACMG and AAN: Women in the reproductive age group, having the capacity to become pregnant should take at least 0.4 mg (400 µg) of folic acid daily.

USPSTF: all women who are planning or capable of pregnancy take a daily supplement containing 0.4 to 0.8 mg (400-800 µg) of folic acid.

ACOG, CDC other organization suggests a higher dose of 4 mg (4000 μg) of folic acid for women who are at high risk of having a baby with NTD. These factors are:

Previous history of pregnancy with NTD
Having a partner with NTDs or a partner who previously has had a child with NTD
Patients with a second or third degree relative with NTD
Patient herself was born with NTD
History of taking anti-epileptic medication Valproic acid
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Obesity.

ACOG has also made additional recommendations in the recent 2017 updates.


With Advancements in Ultrasound techniques, Maternal Serum Alpha Feto Protein (MSAFP) has become less important in diagnosing NTDs, when high quality, second trimester ultrasound is routinely used.

MSAFP is more important for screening for other anomalies and placental complications in such cases.

If MSAFP value is ≥ 2.5 MoMs, the detection rate for anencephaly is 95% and 65-80% for other open NTDs.

2D ultrasound has a detection rate of 96% and if structural abnormalities are seen on Ultrasound, they can be considered diagnostic.

3D ultrasound is not superior to 2D in diagnosing NTDs; however, it may be more helpful in delineating the upper limit of spinal defects.

The rates of diagnosing NTDs in first trimester are lower than that of 2nd trimester sonography.
MRI is not mandatory if NTD has already been identified in sonography.

Pregnancy and delivery management:


After a pregnancy with NTD is diagnosed options should be individualized according to each pregnancy:
Pregnancy termination
In Utero fetal surgery for repair
Expectant management with neonatal surgical repair.
Studies on In-Utero repairs have demonstrated that such neonates have functional level two or more times better than expected, and reduce the neonatal mortality and morbidity.

Delivery:

Regarding the timing of delivery, term delivery is preferred. Elective late preterm or early term cesarean is only considered if fetal repair has been done or other obstetric indication for surgery exists.
Retrospective studies with not very long-term follow-up have demonstrated no increased risk of vaginal delivery, but each case needs to be individualized.

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Media: Univision.com





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