Background

A neural tube defect (NTD) is a failure of the neural tube to close during the 3rd and 4th weeks of pregnancy [1]. The development and closure of the neural tube are typically completed within 28 days after conception before many women are aware that they are pregnant [2]. Neural tube defects can be identified through simple prenatal testing using ultrasound imaging or maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level screening [3].

Neural tube defect is estimated to affect about 300,000 newborns worldwide in 2016 [4], resulting in about 88,000 deaths per year [4]. In low-income countries, NTDs may account for 29% of neonatal deaths due to observable birth defects [4]. The burden of NTDs in developing countries have been reported to be two times higher than in developed countries [5]. In Africa, the median NTD prevalence was 11.7 per 10,000 births [4]. A review conducted in 2016 stated that nearly 270,000 NTDs occur due to lack of folic acid fortification; this estimate, however, might be impacted due to the paucity of data [6].

From different forms of neural tube defects, anencephaly and spina bifida are prevalent in developing countries [7]. Anencephaly is invariably associated with death as a stillbirth, a neonatal death, and a post-neonatal death [8]. In many cases, NTDs will end up in different forms of complications like mortality, disabilities, and psychological disorders of affected families [8].

Neural tube defects do not have specific causative agents, but genetic, environmental, and maternal age factors were among common contributors [9]. Maternal hypertension and maternal fever during pregnancy were identified as risk factors for NTDs [10]. Maternal history of alcohol intake during pregnancy was found to be significantly associated with NTDs [11]. Consanguineous marriage is also listed as a common factor for NTDs [12].

Neural tube defects are among commonly avoidable defects; it is estimated that 50–60% of these defects could be prevented by achieving and maintaining adequate folate levels before and within the first month of pregnancy [13]. A global review conducted in 2014 tried subgroup analysis for Africa on the burden of neural tube defect. Still, they have included limited studies which may affect the overall magnitude of NTDs [3]. Even though some global reviews have been conducted to assess the burden of NTDs, none of them reported determinant factors [3, 4, 6, 8]. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and determinants of NTDs in Africa. Determining the most avoidable risk factors will assist policymakers in designing strategies to decrease the burden of neural tube defects in Africa.

Methods

Study protocol

The protocol of this study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), the University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (ID number: CRD42020149356) [14]. This review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the guideline of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) (additional file 1) [15].

Search strategy

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using published and unpublished articles on the prevalence and associated factors of NTDs in Africa. The databases used to search for studies were PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, CINAHL, POPLINE, and African Journals Online (AJOL), and grey literature was searched on Google and Research Gate. The following vital terms neural AND tube AND defect AND “determinant factors” OR “associated factors” OR “protective factors” OR “risk factors” AND “Africa countries” were used separately or in combination with the Boolean operator’s terms “AND” and “OR.” The search was also done by combining the above search terms with the names of all countries included in Africa and the sub-region of Africa (additional file 2). The reference lists of the retrieved studies were also scanned to access additional articles and screened against our eligibility criteria.

Eligibility criteria

Any study in Africa that reported magnitude and determinant factors for NTDs and fulfilled the following criteria were recruited into the analysis:

Study area

All studies conducted in African countries.

Population

Epidemiological studies had reported prevalence and risk factors of NTDs as an outcome.

Study designs

All observational studies (cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort) reporting the prevalence and determinants of NTDs were eligible for this systematic review and meta-analysis.

Language

Articles published in English were considered.

Publication status

Both published and unpublished articles were considered.

Study period

No restriction of the period applied to this review.

Study selection

Important articles identified from the databases mentioned above and websites were imported into an Endnote X8, and duplicates were removed. Screening retrieved articles titles, abstracts, and full-text quality was conducted independently by two review authors (DA & KS) based on the eligibility criteria. The disagreement between the two reviewers was resolved by reaching a consensus through discussion.

Risk of bias assessment

The study risk of bias was assessed using the Joana bridge institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool [16]. Two authors (DA & KS) evaluated the quality of the full text considered to be included in the meta-analysis. The tool consists of ten items for case-control and eight for cross-sectional studies (additional files 3 and 4). Each item for each study was judged as Yes (1) and No (0). When the information provided was not adequate to make a judgment for a specific item, we agreed to grade that item with a ‘No’ (0). Each study was graded depending on the number of items judged ‘Yes’ (1) as low risk (≥ 7), medium risk (5 to 6) or high risk (≤ 4) for cross-sectional studies and low risk (≥8), medium risk (7 to 6) and high risk (< 5) for case-control studies (additional files 3 and 4).

Data extraction

The selected papers were thoroughly reviewed, and the required information for the systematic review was extracted and summarized using an extraction table in Microsoft Office Excel software (additional files 5 and 6).

The data extraction tool consists of the name of the author (s), country and sub-region, study design, setting, year of publication, sample size, and number of NTDs (additional file 5). Data were extracted in two-by-two tables for determinants of NTDs, pooled odds ratio with their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated based on the original studies report (additional file 6).

Statistical methods and analysis

The extracted data were imported into STATA/SE version 14 software for all statistical analysis. The heterogeneity among all included studies was assessed by using the I2 statistics and Cochran Q test. In this meta-analysis, the tests indicate significant heterogeneity among included studies (I2 = 100, P-value <.001). For this reason, we used a random-effects model as a method of analysis. The publication bias was assessed using begg ‘s test statistics. Pooled prevalence and odds ratios along their corresponding 95% CI were presented using a forest plot. Subgroup analyses for the prevalence of NTDs were performed by sub-regions of Africa. To determine factors associated with NTDs, data were entered into Review Manager Version 5, and pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used.

Operational definition

Neural tube defects all newborns having one of the following defects are considered as having NTD. Spina bifida (meningocele and myelomeningocele), anencephaly, and encephalocele.

Prevalence of NTDs = number of a newborn with NTDs/total number of newborns *100

Results

The findings from this systematic review and meta-analysis are described in various sub-headings described below.

Description of included studies

A total of 2679 published articles were retrieved through the search strategies. Then, 2008 records were removed due to duplication. Furthermore, 598 records were excluded after screening by title and abstract. Finally, a total of 73 full-text articles were screened against the eligibility criterion, of which 37 articles meet the requirements to be included in the final analysis (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

PRISMA flow diagram, for systematic review on prevalence and factors associated with neural tube defects in Africa

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Characteristics of the included studies

Fourteen African countries were represented in this review. Of these, 9 (24.3%) of the studies were from West African [17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25], 18 (48.6%) were from East African countries [26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43], 1(2.7%) from Central Africa [44], 1 (2.7%) from Southern Africa [45], and 8 (21.6%) were from Northern African country [46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53]. Regarding the study design, twenty-nine (78%) were cross-sectional, and eight (22%) were case-control studies. Studies were categorized according to their quality; ten studies were considered to have high quality 10 (27%), twenty-six medium quality 26(70%), and one study as having high low quality (Tables 1 and 2).

Table 1 Characteristics of included studies for prevalence of neural tube defects in Africa
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Table 2 Characteristics of included studies for determinants of neural tube defect in Africa
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Prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Africa

Twenty-nine articles were included in the meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of NTD in Africa. A total of 6,113,208 newborns were included in the analysis. The included studies reported a sample size, ranging from the minimum of 84 participants in the Ethiopian study [27] to the maximum of 3,803,889 in the Tunisian study [51]. The result of random-effect meta-analysis estimated the pooled prevalence of NTDs in Africa was 50.71 per 10,000 births (95% CI: 48.03, 53.44; I2 = 100%, p < 0.001) (Fig. 2). There was significant heterogeneity among the included studies (I2 = 100%, p-value < 0.001). Begg’s test showed that there is no statistically significant publication bias with p-value = 0.743 (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Meta-analysis, the prevalence of neural tube defects per 10,000 births in Africa

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Fig. 3
figure 3

Funnel plot showing publication bias status of studies included for the meta-analysis on prevalence of neural tube defects in Africa

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Sub-group analysis of the prevalence of NTDs

The sub-group analysis by sub-region showed that the prevalence of NTD was highest in the East African sub-region, 84.48 cases of NTDs per 10,000 births (95% CI: 61.37, 107.54), and the lowest was in Central Africa, 10.20 per 10,000 births (95% CI: 10.20, 10.20) (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4
figure 4

Sub-group analysis by the regions of African countries, the prevalence of neural tube defects per 10,000 births in Africa

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Prevalence of NTDs by sub-types in Africa

The meta-analysis was also conducted by sub-type of neural tube defect. In this sub-group, the prevalence of spina bifida (cystica and occulta) was 29.67 cases per 10,000 births (Fig. 5), and anencephaly was 19.11 cases per 10,000 births (Fig. 6).

Fig. 5
figure 5

Meta-analysis, the prevalence of spina bifida per 10,000 births in Africa

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Fig. 6
figure 6

Meta-analysis, the prevalence of anencephaly per 10,000 births in Africa

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Determinants of neural tube defects (NTDs)

The determinant factors included in this analysis were maternal age, maternal folic acid supplementation before pregnancy and within the first month of pregnancy, paternal consanguineous marriage, previous history of stillbirth, exposure to a pesticide, exposure to radiation, history of alcohol consumption, and sex of the newborn. A separate analysis was conducted for each variable.

Folic acid and neural tube defects

Six studies [18, 37,38,39,40, 51, 52] examined the association between folic acid supplementations before and within the first months of pregnancy. The pooled odds ratio indicated that women who have taken folic acid supplements before pregnancy and within the first month of pregnancy were 60% less likely to have newborns with neural tube defects (POR, 95% CI:0.4 (0.19–0.85)). The studies showed high heterogeneity (I2 = 78.0% and p < 0.001). Hence a random effect model was employed for final analysis (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7
figure 7

Forest plot showing association between folic acid supplements and neural tube defects in Africa

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Paternal consanguineous marriage and neural tube defects

The association of paternal consanguineous marriage and neural tube defect was examined based on the findings from six studies [17, 18, 39, 52, 54, 55]. The pooled odds ratio indicated that neural tube defects do not differ among parents with and without consanguineous marriages (POR, 95% CI: 1.42 (.62–3.23)). The studies showed moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 74.0%, p < 0.001). Hence a random effect model was considered for the final analysis (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8
figure 8

Forest plot showing association of consanguineous marriage and neural tube defects in Africa

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Exposure to pesticide and neural tube defects

This meta-analysis was employed on three studies [32, 33, 53], and pooled odds ratio was examined. It revealed that women exposed to the pesticide were three times more likely to have newborns with neural tube defects than women who were not exposed to pesticide during pregnancy and within 1 year before pregnancy (POR, 95% CI: 3.29 (1.04–10.39)). The studies showed low heterogeneity (I2 = 35.0% and p = 0.21) (Fig. 9). Hence a fixed-effect model was considered to do the final analysis. A funnel plot was symmetrical.

Fig. 9
figure 9

Forest plot showing association between pesticide exposure and neural tube defects in Africa

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Maternal age and neural tube defects

The association of maternal age and neural tube defect was examined based on the findings from five studies [38, 40, 42, 51, 54]. The pooled odds ratio indicated that the odds of neural tube defect are 1.5 times higher among women with an age group greater than 30 years during pregnancy (POR, 95% CI: 1.47(1.16–1.87)). The heterogeneity test revealed mild heterogeneity (I2 = 86%, p = < 0.001), and therefore, a random effect model was used in the final analysis (Table 3).

Table 3 Showing relationship of different factors with the neural tube defects in Africa
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Maternal exposure to radiation and neural tube defects

Three studies examined the association between maternal exposure to pesticides during pregnancy [39, 40, 42]. The pooled estimate showed that women exposed to x-ray radiation were two times more likely to have newborns with neural tube defects than women who were never exposed to x-ray radiation (POR, 95% CI: 2.34 (1.27–4.31)). The heterogeneity test revealed low heterogeneity (I2 = 0%, p = 0.1), and therefore a fixed model was assumed in the analysis (Table 3).

Maternal alcohol consumption and neural tube defects

Pooled results of three studies [39, 40, 42] showed that neural tube defect occurrence does not differ among women who consume alcohol and who do not consume alcohol during their pregnancy and 1 year before pregnancy (POR, 95% CI: 1.3 (0.41–4.48)). The heterogeneity test revealed mild heterogeneity (I2 = 67%, p = 0.05), and therefore a random model was assumed in the analysis (Table 3).

Previous stillbirth and neural tube defects

Four studies [38,39,40, 42] have examined the association of the previous stillbirth and neural tube defects. The pooled odds revealed that women who have a previous history of stillbirth were three times more likely to have newborns with neural tube defects than women who have no previous stillbirth [POR, 95% CI: 3.35 (1.99–5.65)]. The heterogeneity test revealed high heterogeneity (I2 = 86%, p = < 0.001) (Table 3), and therefore, a random model was assumed in the analysis.

Sex of newborn and neural tube defect

Three studies [38,39,40] included in the meta-analysis have revealed that there was no difference among male and female newborns on the occurrence of neural tube defects (POR, 95% CI: 0.86 (0.60–1.23)). The heterogeneity test revealed mild heterogeneity (I2 = 43%, p = < 0.17) (Table 3), and therefore, a fixed-effect model was used in the analysis.

Discussion

This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the prevalence and determinant factors of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Africa. The pooled prevalence of NTDs in Africa was 50.74 per 10,000 births. This prevalence is higher than a previous review conducted in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) in 2015, which reported 11.7 per 10,000 births [3]. The previous review included only two studies from the African region, which might underestimate the overall prevalence in the region. Besides, our finding is much higher than reported by a review conducted in India [56] which might be attributable to the geographical and sociodemographic variation of study participants.

The subgroup analysis has shown a higher prevalence of NTD in East African countries with 84.84 cases per 10,000 births which may be due to higher serum folic acid deficiency among reproductive-age women in Eastern Africa countries [57]. A limited number of Eastern Africa countries have the mandatory folic acid fortification of staple food in the African region [58]. A lower prevalence of NTDs was observed in Central and Southern Africa. In this region, the studies included those from Cameroon and South Africa, which have mandatory folic acid fortification that might affect the prevalence of NTDs [59].

This study also tried to identify the most common avoidable factors of neural tube defects in Africa. The present meta-analysis indicated that women who have taken folic acid supplements before pregnancy and/or within the first month of pregnancy were less likely to have newborns with neural tube defects. These findings are in line with a review that showed evidence of decreased risk of NTDs occurring among women who have folic acid supplements [60]. A review study conducted in 2017 by the US task force has revealed the protective effect of folic acid on neural tube defects [61]. The folic acid increases neural tube closure and central nervous system development as it has a role in nucleotide synthesis, and folate also engages acute signaling in neurons [60, 62,63,64].

The findings of this pooled odds ratio indicated that NTD does not differ among parents with and without consanguineous marriages. This finding contradicts with a review conducted in 2010 that has revealed consanguinity as a significant risk of NTDs [65]. The consanguineous marriages will increase autosomal recessive and dominant ending up in neural tube defects [66, 67]. The difference may be due to the presence of limited primary studies investigating the association of NTDs and consanguinity in this review and meta-analysis.

The pooled odds indicated that the odd neural tube defect is 1.5 times higher among women with an age group of greater than 30 years during pregnancy. This observed difference can be explained by the fact that an increase in age will increase the risk of aneuploidy [68, 69]. Besides, a gradual loss of meiotic cohesion during meiosis in oocytes contributes to non-disjunction events leading to a high incidence of aneuploidy [70]. Aneuploidy, in turn, will result in neural tube defects [71].

Women with a history of agricultural pesticide exposure during the first 3 months of pregnancy were three times more likely to give birth to newborns with neural tube defects than those with no history of exposure to a pesticide. This finding is supported by a study conducted in America, where mothers having pesticide exposure were 3 times more likely to have newborns with NTDs [72]. This high risk might be explained by the effect of pesticides on nucleotide synthesis [73, 74]. Pesticide exposure results in impaired development if it occurs in early pregnancy [75, 76]. Further, organochlorine pesticide increases the risk of NTDs [77], and this pesticide is a commonly used agricultural pesticide in Africa [78]. Since most of the African population are farmers, they are subjected to frequent exposure to agricultural pesticides [77].

The present meta-analysis identified that women with a history of exposure to x-ray radiation during the first 3 months of pregnancy were two times higher odds of having a newborn with a neural tube defect than women with no history of exposure. This observation might be due to x-ray ionization that may result in genetic mutation, which in turn affects DNA methylation, thereby ending up in NTDs [79]. A review conducted in 2015 concluded that low-dose radiation exposure could damage the DNA [80]. Further, radiation will induce neuronal apoptosis even at a low dose was evidenced in developing neocortex [81], which results in apoptotic mutation that causes failure of neural tube closure [81, 82].

Women who have a previous history of stillbirth were three times more likely to have newborns with neural tube defects than women who have no previous stillbirth. This can be explained by the fact that women who have a previous history of NTD have the risk of recurrences in a subsequent pregnancy [83, 84]. The common cause for recurrence of NTDs was low serum folate and chromosomal abnormalities [85]. Further, Neural tube defect was shown to have 25 and 50% recurrence among autosomal recessive and dominant, respectively [86].

Generally, the burden of NTD is higher in Africa when compared to other regions, and identified factors are avoidable by folic acid fortification and health education provision on the effects of pesticides and ionizing radiation.

Limitations

There are limited original studies conducted in central and southern regions of Africa which may affect the overall burden of NTDs in Africa. There were few primary studies conducted on factors associated with NTDs, which may affect the representation of Africa. The original studies included in this meta-analysis did not report the dose, duration, and timing of exposure to x-ray radiation that may affect the strength of association between NTDs and x-ray radiation.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis and systematic review identified that there is a high burden of NTDs in Africa. About five in thousand newborns are affected in Africa, while nine per thousand newborns are affected in Eastern Africa. Before and during early pregnancy, folic acid supplementation was identified as protective factors, while the previous history of stillbirth, exposure to a pesticide, and x-ray radiation were factors associated with NTDs in Africa.

Most of the factors identified in this study were avoidable; therefore, folic acid fortification of staple foods and considering folic acid supplementation of reproductive-age women may significantly reduce a high burden of NTDs in Africa. Further, avoiding pesticide and x-ray exposures during the first trimester of pregnancy may also contribute to the reduction of NTDs occurrence. In addition, we recommend original studies to be conducted in the Central and Southern African regions.