Anthropological study on spina bifida in the Community of Madrid

The incidence of spina bifida in the Community of Madrid (Spain) has been assessed during an eleven-year period, since 1970 to 1980: 0.37 per 1,000 newborns over a total of 272,332 newborns, dead and alive, of simple births. The sex ratio at birth was 94. Maternal variables have been studied (maternal age, menarche, parity, etc.), obstetric variables (number of abortions, medication during pregnancy, etc.) and also neonatal variables (weight, gestational age, state at birth, etc.). Seasonal variations were observed.