Cytogenetic assessment of cases with neural tube defects

53 8. SUMMARY The aim of this study to investigate the rates of chromosomal abnormalities in cases with neural tube defect (NTD), detected in Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Hospital. Cytogenetic assessment of cases with neural tube defect presented, 1 of 42 cases had chromosome abnormality (trisomy 18), while the others were normal. Different authors also reported relationship between trisomy 18 and neural tube defect before. Although, NTD has a strong genetic basis, there are great differences in the incidences among different countries due to environmental and socioeconomic reasons. While the rates of NTD was reported as 0,5-2,5 % in Turkey before, the rates detected in Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Hospital was higher then expected, that is because our center is one of the important reference hospitals. The results of this statistical study are only useful as a source for further studies in our hospital.