This document discusses neural tube defects, which result from failure of the neural tube to close during early development. It describes the classification, diagnosis, investigations, management, and prevention of various neural tube defects including anencephaly, encephalocele, spina bifida, meningocele, and myelomeningocele. Prenatal screening and folic acid supplementation are important for prevention, while management requires a multidisciplinary approach to address physical, developmental, and cognitive issues.

1. NEURAL TUBE DEFECTSNEURAL TUBE DEFECTS
BY
ALIYU USMAN MUHAMMAD
AND ABDIRAHMAN BASHIR
MBchB STUDENT KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY, UGANDA

2. OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
AETIOLOGY
CLASSIFICATION
 DIAGONOSIS
INVESTIGATION
MANAGEMENT
COMPLICATION
PREVENTION

3. INTRODUCTION
The human nervous system originates from the primitive
ectoderm that also develops into the epidermis.
The ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm form the three
primary germ layers that are developed by the 3rd wk.
The endoderm, particularly the notochordal plate and the
intraembryonic mesoderm, induces the overlying ectoderm to
develop the neural plate in the 3rd wk of development
Failure of normal induction is responsible for most of the NTDs,
as well as disorders of prosencephalic development.

6. Neural tube defects (NTDs) account for the largest
proportion of congenital anomalies of the CNS and
result from failure of the neural tube to close
spontaneously between the 3rd and 4th wk of in utero
development.
Although the precise cause of NTDs remains
unknown,

7. epidemiology
Occurrence of these types of defects Is common and varíes
by different regions. For example, prior to fortification of
enriched flour with folie acid in the United States, the
over- all rate was 1 in 1,000 births, but in North and South
Carolina, the rate was 1 in 500 births.
In parts of China, rates were as high as 1 in 200 births.
Various genetic and environmental factors apparently
account for the vari- ability.

8. Risk factors
Family history of NTDs
Certain syndromes and chromosomal disorders.
Low dietary low folic acid
Administration of sodium valproate and folic acid
antagonists, e.g. some anti-epileptics,
trimethoprim

9. con’t
 hyperthermia
 malnutrition
 low red cell folate levels
 chemicals, Radiation
maternal obesity or diabetes
 genetic determinants (mutations in folate-responsive
or folate-dependent enzyme pathways)

10. CLASSIFICATION OF NTDs
• NTDs are classified as:
1. Open: often involve the entire CNS with neural
tissue is exposed and CSF leaking
2. Closed: localised to the spine; brain rarely affected;
neural tissue not exposed although the skin
covering the defect may be dysplastic

12. Cranial NTDs
Anencephaly
Encephalocele
- meningocele
- meningomyelocele
Congenital dermal sinus

13. Spinal NTDs
Spina bifida cystica
Spina bifida occulta
Myelomeningocele
Meningocele
Congenital dermal sinus
Caudal agenesis

14. ANENCEPHALIC
An anencephalic infant presents a distinctive appearance with a
large defect of the calvarium, meninges, and scalp associated
with a rudimentary brain.
which results from failure of closure of the rostral neuropore,
the opening of the anterior neural tube.
The cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum are usually
absent, and only a residue of the brainstem can be
identified.
Additional anomalies

16. ENCEPHALOCELE
Two major forms of dysraphism affect the skull,
resulting in protrusion of tissue through a bony
midline defect, called cranium bifidum.
A cranial meningocele consists of a CSF-filled
meningeal sac only, and a cranial encephalocele
contains the sac plus cerebral cortex, cerebellum,
or portions of the brainstem.

17. Infants with a cranial encephalocele are at
increased risk for developing hydrocephalus
because of aqueductal stenosis, Chiari
malformation, or the Dandy-Walker
syndrome.
 Examination might show a small sac with a
pedunculated stalk or a large cyst-like structure
that can exceed the size of the cranium.
The lesion may be completely covered with skin,
but areas of denuded lesion can occur and require


19. SPINA BIFIDA
Is one of the most serious veterbral defect is the result
of inperfect fusion or nonunioun of the veterbral
arches. Such an abnormalty as cleft veterbral ( spina
bifida)
Spina bifida Occulta it involve only the bony veterbral
arches leaving the spinal cord intact and the bony
defect is covered by skin and no neurological defecit.

20. Spina bifida cystica more severe abnormality in
which the neural tube fails to close, veterbral archest
fail to form, and neural tissue is exposed.
Any neurological deficits depend on the level and the
extend of the lesion.

23. meningocele
A meningocele is formed when the meninges herniate
through a defect in the posterior vertebral arches or
the anterior sacrum.
The spinal cord is usually normal and assumes a
normal position in the spinal canal, although there
may be tethering of the cord, syringomyelia, or
diastematomyelia.

24. A fluctuant midline mass that might transilluminate
occurs along the vertebral column, usually in the
lower back.
 Most meningoceles are well covered with skin and
pose no immediate threat to the patient. Careful
neurologic examination is mandatory.

25. Myelomeningocele
Myelomeningocele represents the most severe form
of dysraphism, a so-called aperta or open form,
involving the vertebral column and spinal cord.
 incidence is approximately 1 in 4,000 live births.

26. anatomic expression of
myelomeningoceleThe presence of unfused or excessively separated
vertebral arches of the bony spine (spina bifida)
 Cystic dilation of the meninges that surround the spinal
cord (meningocele)
 Cystic dilation of the spinal cord itself (myelocele)
 Hydrocephalus and the spectrum of congenital cerebral
abnormalities

27. Investigations
MRI: best for imaging neural tissue & identifying
contents of the defect
CT: direct visualisation of the bony defect and
anatomy
Ultrasound: for prenatal screening
X-ray

28. Prenatal screening
Failure of closure of the neural tube allows excretion
of fetal substances (α-fetoprotein [AFP],
acetylcholinesterase) into the amniotic fluid, serving
as biochemical markers for a NTD.
Prenatal screening of maternal serum for AFP in the
16th-18th wk of gestation is an effective method for
identifying pregnancies at risk for fetuses with NTDs
in utero

29. Counseling
Outcome depends a lot on level.
Lower lesions may result in relatively mild defecits.
Another issue is the related hydrocephalus, cerebellar
malformation and long-term cognitive dysfunction.

30. Management
Multidisciplinary approach - to address any
associated physical, developmental, hearing,
visual and learning difficulties
Keep baby warm and the defect covered with a
sterile saline dressing
Position baby in prone position to avoid pressure
on the defect
Defect should be closed promptly
Treatment of hydrocephalus

31. Complications
Infections
Associated motor and sensory problems, particularly
lower limb
Associated learning disability, developmental delay
and hearing impairment
Bladder and bowel dysfunction

32. Prevention
Pre-conceptional folate supplementation
Food fortification with the addition of folate