Background Neural tube defects (NTD), which include spina bifida, anencephaly, and encephalocoele, are an important group of severe birth defects whose prevalence has fallen significantly in past few decades in many countries. Northern Ireland (NI) is known to have the highest prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD) in Europe. The prevalence rate of 60 and 40 per 10,000 births was reported in 1970's and 1980's, respectively. However no NI data has been published since then to assess the trend of decline in NTD prevalence as noted in other previously high prevalent regions of UK and Ireland. The aims of the study were (1) To describe the current epidemiology of NTD in Northern Ireland (2) To assess the impact of prenatal diagnosis on the birth prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly (3) To compare the current prevalence, antenatal diagnosis and termination trend with previously published reports from the province (3) To compare the current NI data with rest of UK and Europe for the same period.
The increasing prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States (US) represents a considerable economic burden due to the high cost of dialysis treatment. This review examines data from real-world studies to identify cost drivers and explore areas where dialysis costs could be reduced.
'%3e%3cpath fill='%23012169' d='M0 0v30h60V0z'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23fff' stroke-width='6' d='m0 0 60 30m0-30L0 30'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23C8102E' stroke-width='4' d='m0 0 60 30m0-30L0 30' clip-path='url(%23b)'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23fff' stroke-width='10' d='M30 0v30M0 15h60'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23C8102E' stroke-width='6' d='M30 0v30M0 15h60'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)