NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS

CAUSES

Abnormal closure of neural folds

Teratogens

Multifactorial(involving both genetic and

environmental factors)

SPINA BIFIDA

General term used for NTDs in spinal region

Vertebral arches split apart

Underlying nervous tissue may or may not be

involved

SPINA B IF IDA OCCULTA AND CYSTICA

Vertbral arches

defective defective

Skin Patch of hair over the defect

Protrusion in the form of sac

Underlying neural tissue

Not involved Involved alongwith meninges

Region in which they are most common

Lumbosacral Lumbosacral region

S.B with myeloschisis/Rachischisis

S.B. with Meningeocoele

S.B with Meningeomyelocoele

Failure of neural folds to elevate

Only meninges involved

Underlying nervous tissue also involved

WHY DOES HYDROCEPHALUS DEVELOP IN SP.B IF IDA CYSTICA?

Spinal cord is tethered to vertebral column and as it

elongates,it pulls the cerebellum through the

foramen magnum thus cutting off the flow of CSF

and producing hydrocephalus.

TREATMENT

400mg of folic acid is given 2-3 months before

pregnancy and continued throughout the gestation