The Global Burden of Neural Tube Defects and Disparities in Neurosurgical Care.

Background: Despite the success of folic acid fortification programs, neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida, encephalocele, and anencephaly remain among the most substantial causes of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although these are complicated conditions that require an interdisciplinary approach to care, definitive treatment of survivable NTDs is often neurosurgical.

Methods: Using Global Burden of Disease data, we examined the global burden of NTDs as related to a nation's wealth, health care quality, and access to neurosurgical care. We abstracted data for death by cause, years lived with disability (YLD), gross domestic product (GDP), United Nations geoscheme, Food Fortification Initiative participation, and Healthcare Access and Quality Index. We compared means using 1-way analysis of variance and proportions using Fisher exact tests, with statistical significance as α = 0.05.

Results: Seventeen of 20 (85%) nations with the most deaths caused by NTDs (P < 0.0001) and 15/20 (75%) nations with the highest YLD (P < 0.0001) were in the lowest GDP quartile. Deaths and YLD were negatively correlated with increasing GDP and Healthcare Access and Quality Index (P < 0.0001). The nations with the highest disease burdens also had the fewest neurosurgeons per capita.

Conclusions: Despite the success of folic acid fortification programs, greater global public health efforts should be placed on improving access to neurosurgical care in low and middle-income nations through sustainable initiatives such as surgeon exchange programs and the establishment of neurosurgery residency training programs.