Demographic and biochemical parameters in Pakistani families having child with spinabifida.

Objective: To find out the association of demographic and biochemical markers in families of the patients with spinabifida. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, Hameed Latif Hospital Lahore. Period: July 2017 to January 2018. Material & Methods: Demographic data of the participants was obtained through a pre designed questionnaire with informed consent. Physical examination of weight and height for the calculation of BMI was done at spot. Biochemical markers such as HbA1c and folic acid were measured after collecting 5ml blood samples of participants through automated analyzers. Results: Results of this study showed 50% mothers bearing child with spina bifida being between the ages of 26 to 30 years. 50% of Fathers of subjects were between 35 to 40 years of age. 62.5% subject families belonged to rural area. 87.5% families having child with spina bifida belonged to low SES (Socioeconomic Statius). 50% Consanguinity found in subject families. BMI, HbA1c and folic acid of children were found to be significant p values respectively 0.046, 0.043 and 0.005. BMI of fathers also showed significant p value of 0.043. Conclusion: Demographic data such as age, location and socioeconomic status of parents of subjects were found to be significantly correlated with the occurrence of spina bifida, while BMI of fathers subjects were found having effect on the spina bifida in their children.