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LETTER TO THE EDITOR |
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| Ahead of print
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Open neural tube defects and COVID-19: Correspondence
Pathum Sookaromdee1, Viroj Wiwanitkit2
1 Private Academic Consultant, Bangkok, Thailand
2 Dr DY Patil University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| Date of Submission | 26-Nov-2021 |
| Date of Acceptance | 26-Nov-2021 |
| Date of Web Publication | 30-Jan-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
Pathum Sookaromdee,
Private Academic Consultant, Bangkok
Thailand
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None DOI: 10.4103/jpn.JPN_213_21
Dear Editor,
We would like to share ideas on “Open neural tube defects in COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis of 26 neonatal patients in a tertiary care cente.”[1] Muzumdar et al.[1] concluded that “There was a definite upsurge of open neural tube defects seen as a collateral sequel of COVID-19 pandemic following the lockdown period. A comprehensive collaborative effort ….. counseling is crucial and needed attention on priority...” We agree that epidemiological pattern of open neural tube defects might change due to COVID-19 pandemic. Correction of anatomical problem might be difficult and limited performed during outbreak crisis due to the lockdown policy for controlling of pandemic disease.[2] This problem might occur worldwide. Regarding fetal ultrasound screening, detection of case might be decreased during COVID-19 pandemic but it might not impact the situation if the abortion is not allowed in that setting. Finally, an interesting research question is whether COVID-19 can induce neural tube defects or not. According to the available evidence, there is still no report on association. However, a child with a neural tube defect as a birth defect still occurs during COVID-19. If there is an actual increased ration of a case with a birth defect to total birth, further studies on association are very interesting.
 Financial support and sponsorship | |  |
Nil.
| Conflicts of interest | | |
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
| 1. | Muzumdar D, Hawaldar A, Bhambhere S, Singh M, Lunawat A, Nanavati R. Open neural tube defects in COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of 26 neonatal patients in a tertiary care center. J Pediatr Neurosci 2021;16:5-10.  [Full text] |
| 2. | Meybodi KT, Habibi Z, Nejat F. The effects of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric neurosurgery practice and training in a developing country. Childs Nerv Syst 2021;37:1313-7. |
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