Burden of Neural Tube Defects in the Middle East and North Africa From 1990 to 2021: Findings From the Global Burden of Disease Study Publisher



Babaeighazani A ; Soleymanzadeh H ; Kariznoee H ; Ansari H ; Farhadi F ; Danandeh K ; Seyedmirzaei H ; Nakhostinansari A
Source: Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences Published:2025

Abstract

Objective Few studies have examined the burden of neural tube defects (NTDs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and those that exist are limited in geographic coverage and timeframe. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the burden and epidemiology of NTDs in the MENA region from 1990 to 2021. Methods We used Global Burden of Disease (2021) data in our study. We extracted the incidence, death, and Disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rates and age-standardized rates across genders, age groups, MENA countries, and years from 1990 to 2021. Additionally, we extracted the sociodemographic index (SDI) values for each country and MENA from 1990 to 2021. Results The age-standardized DALY rate of NTDs decreased by 72.72 % (95%UI: −83.67, −55.14) from 298.93 (95%UI: 145.34–422) in 1990 to 72.57 (95%UI: 54.89–95.42) per 100000 in 2021 in the region. In 2021, the age-standardized DALY rate of NTDs was the lowest in KSA (11.62 per 100000, 95%UI: 8.47–15.79), Palestine (15.39 per 100000, 95%UI: 11.41–20.28), and Qatar (16.35 per 100000, 95%UI: 12.31–21.4). On the other hand, it was the highest in Afghanistan (185.88 per 100,000, 95 % UI: 104.29–285.14), Yemen (165.46 per 100,000, 95 % UI: 98.46–281.66), and Sudan (150.92 per 100,000, 95 % UI: 99.84–222.41). There was a negative association between SDI and age-standardized DALY rate of NTDs. Conclusions Although the burden of NTDs has declined in the MENA region in recent years, it remains a major public health concern in countries like Afghanistan, Sudan, and Yemen. © 2025 The Authors.