Risk factors of the appearance of anencephaly in Tunisia.

Introduction: Anencephaly is a serious developmental defect of the central nervous system in which the brain and cranial vault are grossly malformed. The cerebrum and cerebellum are reduced or absent, but the hindbrain is present. Anencephaly is a part of the neural tube defect spectrum.

Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease: New insights into neonatal risk prediction.

Background: Advances in managing adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) have led to an increased number of women with CHD reaching childbearing age. This demographic shift underscores the need for improved understanding and prediction of complications during pregnancy in this specific ACHD population. Despite progress in maternal cardiac risk assessment, the prediction of neonatal outcomes for ACHD pregnancies remains underdeveloped.

Association of MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, and MTRR A66G Polymorphisms with Neural Tube Defects in Tunisian Parents.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the association of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR A66G) gene polymorphisms with neural tube defects (NTDs) in a Tunisian population.

Methods: Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLPs) using the restriction enzymes. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between mothers and fathers of fetuses with NTDs with matched controls based on an association analysis using SPSS software.

Fetopathological examination for the fetuses with Down syndrome in Tunisia: Epidemiological study and associated malformations.

Background: For Down syndrome (DS), traditional epidemiological studies to determine the prevalence, cause, and clinical significance of the syndrome have been conducted over the last 100 years. In Tunisia, the current work is the first in-depth study in epidemiology of DS from fetopathological data.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this epidemiological study was to determine the impact of some feto-maternal characteristics in occurrence of DS and to search the frequency of associated congenital malformations with this syndrome.

Congenital anomalies in Tunisia: Frequency and risk factors.

Background: Despite the high risk of recurrence of congenital malformations, there are no well-accepted preventive measures in developing countries like Tunisia. It is recommended that thorough epidemiological studies of congenital anomalies in this country are needed. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency and types of congenital anomalies in Tunisia and research some risk factors associated with occurrence of these anomalies.

[Indigenous malaria in Tunisia: 4 cases registered in 2013 in Tunisia].

Background: Malaria has been eliminated in Tunisia since 1979, but the country remains, like all other countries harboring the vector, exposed to the potential risk of resurgence.

Objectives: Describe the clinical and epidemiological investigation of 4 cases of autochthonous malaria in July 2013 and report the main actions of regional and national response.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive survey of the 4 clinical observations as well as the study of the regional report data of basic health care for the region of Tunis in 2013.

Association of maternal homocysteine and vitamins status with the risk of neural tube defects in Tunisia: A case-control study.

Background: This study was conducted to determine whether low folate and vitamin B12 levels, as well as high homocysteine levels in pregnant women are associated with neural tube defects (NTDs) in Tunisia.

Methods: A total of 75 NTDs pregnancies and 75 matched controls were included in the study. Their vitamin B12, folate, and red blood cell folate concentrations were measured using a radio-immunoassay kit and total homocysteine concentrations were determined using a fluorescent polarization immunoassay.

An increase in spina bifida cases in Tunisia, 2008-2011.

Background: The term spina bifida refers to a group of neural tube defects that result in malformations of the spinal cord and the surrounding vertebrae. Though the etiologies of spina bifida remain largely unknown, several risk factors have been identified, including feto-maternal characteristics.

Aim Of The Study: To discover possible underlying reasons for the increase of spina bifida and identify intervention targets, an investigation was undertaken comparing spina bifida-affected pregnancy notifications in 2008-2011 with notifications in the period 1991-1994.

Epidemiology of neural tube defect subtypes in Tunisia, 1991-2011.

Background: Neural tube defects are common major congenital anomalies that result from very early disruption in the development of the brain and spinal cord.

Aim Of The Study: We conducted an epidemiological study to determine the impact of some feto-maternal characteristics in the occurrence of NTD subtypes.

Methods: Characteristics and outcomes of births with NTD and pregnancy characteristics of mothers over a period of twenty years (1991-2011) were recorded in the medical chart.

[Prenatal ultrasound aspects of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita].

Aim: To analyze the contribution of prenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of arthrogryposis multiplex congenital according to its type and antenatal expression.

Methods: Retrospective study led between January 1993 and November 2007. We studied the cases of arthrogryposis suspected or diagnosed by antenatal ultrasound while analyzing the circumstances of discovery, the profile of the pregnant women and the abnormal scan findings.