Prevalence of spina bifida among children and adolescents in metropolitan Atlanta

Abstract

This study provides minimum prevalence estimates among children and adolescents with SB in metropolitan Atlanta, and identifies race/ethnic disparities in such prevalence estimates. This information could be useful for assessing the specialized health care needs for children with SB and the possible reasons for the racial/ethnic variation in prevalence of SB.

Prevalence of Spina Bifida Among Children and Adolescents in 10 Regions in the United States

“…In a previous local study in the metropolitan Atlanta area, 17 there were significant decreasing trends in the prevalence of SB in all age groups (0 -3, 4 -7, 8 -11, and 12-15 years of age). In 10 US regions, the prevalence was significantly higher only among children 4 to 7 years of age, which might reflect differences in prevalence at birth and population distributions according to region.…”

“…For each age group, we calculated the crude prevalence by dividing the sum of the number of children with SB surviving in 2002 by the sum of the corresponding US Census population estimates for July 1, 2002. We estimated the age group prevalence of SB for children 0 to 11 years of age in 1991-2002 by using the same method, 17 and we calculated the trend in the prevalence of SB among children by using Poisson regression.…”

“…17 To verify vital status through 2002, we linked surveillance data with hospital records, state vital records, and the National Death Index. 6,17,20 If there was no recorded date of death by 2002, then we assumed that the individual survived and resided in the same region until 2002.…”

“…17 To verify vital status through 2002, we linked surveillance data with hospital records, state vital records, and the National Death Index. 6,17,20 If there was no recorded date of death by 2002, then we assumed that the individual survived and resided in the same region until 2002. For each age group, we calculated the crude prevalence by dividing the sum of the number of children with SB surviving in 2002 by the sum of the corresponding US Census population estimates for July 1, 2002.…”

“…[14][15][16] A recent report estimated that, in 2002, there were ϳ211 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 184 -242) children and adolescents 0 to 19 years of age living with SB (2.4 cases per 10 000 children) in the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, area. 17 This value represents a baseline for assessment of the adequacy of available health services to address the needs of this cohort of children in Atlanta. A similar assessment for other regions in the United States would require data for those regions.…”