PCMT1 gene polymorphisms, maternal folate metabolism, and neural tube defects: a case–control study in a population with relatively low folate intake

Table 1 Epidemiologic characteristics of NTD and control groups

Characteristics	NTDs n (%^a)	Control n (%^a)	P ^c
	121^b	146^b
Mother’s age (years)	121	145	0.131
<20	11 (9.1)	14 (9.7)
20–24	45 (37.2)	37 (25.5)
25–29	42 (34.7)	52 (35.9)
≥30	23 (19.0)	42 (29.0)
Mother’s education	114	141	0.792
≥High school graduation	18 (15.8)	24 (17.0)	0.792
Gravidity (n)	114	141	0.086
1	54 (47.4)	50 (35.5)
2	41 (36.0)	54 (38.3)
≥3	19 (16.7)	37 (26.2)
Periconceptional folic acid use^d	121	146	0.570
Yes	7 (5.8)	11 (7.5)	0.570
Gestational age (weeks)	90	120	<0.001
<18	20 (22.2)	35 (29.2)
18–24	44 (48.9)	79 (65.8)
>24	26 (28.9)	6 (5.0)
Fetus sex	121	144	0.937
Male	49 (40.5)	59 (41.0)	0.937

^aPercentages may not equal 100 because of rounding
^bNumber of subjects
^cχ² test was used to calculate P values
^dPericonceptional refers to the month before conception and the first 3 months after conception

ISSN: 1865-3499