<p>Background: Move the following statement to methods "NTDs are defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord that occur early during pregnancy and the two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly". Rationale and objectives of the assessment is not stated.</p><p>Methods: The following are not outlined: definition of cases and controls; how the cases and control were recruited; data management, analysis and software used not stated. The following statement should move to the results section "A total of 290 subjects were recruited for the study involving 145 pregnant women and 145 non-pregnant women matched by age." &nbsp;</p><p>Results: The results sections sis poorly done. Should be aligned with the objectives of the study and analysis. The results does not align with the analysis of a matched case control study where you expect to see matched odds ratios and corresponding 95% CI</p><p>Conclusion: not aligned with objectives, methods and results. This also applies to the public health significance</p>