The sex ratio in spina bifida

Abstract

Published reports on the sex ratio of spina bifida have been reviewed. With one exception, there seems to be no evidence of variation of the sex ratio of spina bifida. In particular, unlike anencephaly, the sex ratio of spina bifida seems to be unrelated to the prevalence of the malformation: this (M/(M+F)) is of the order of 0.44 in respect of all spina bifida births (liveborn and stillborn). The sex ratio of spina bifida in Negroes does not seem to differ from that in whites (though the data on this point are not numerous). The exception noted above concerns spina bifida occurring in twins: these cases are disproportionately often female. The point stands in need of explanation.