The neural tube is the embryonic precursor to the central nervous system. During development, the neural tube forms as the neural folds lift and fuse together. Improper closure of openings in the neural tube can cause neural tube defects like anencephaly or spina bifida. Anencephaly involves failure of the brain and skull to develop properly. Spina bifida occurs when the spinal cord, brain, or their protective coverings do not fully develop, and can range from mild to severe depending on the type and extent of involvement. Treatment options depend on the specific type and symptoms of each defect.

1. Neural Tube Defects
Group 6

2. Introduction
•the neural tube is the
embryonic precursor to
the central nervous
system, which is made
up of the brain and spinal
cord

3. Formation of the neural tube
• By the third week of development ,the
edges of the neural plate start to thicken
and lift upward , forming the neural folds.
• The center of the neural plate remains
grounded, allowing a U-shaped neural
groove .
• The neural folds pinch in towards the
midline of the embryo and fuse
together to form the neural tube.

4. • the neural tube is open both
cranially and caudally.
• These openings, called
neuropores, close during the
fourth week in humans.
• Improper closure of the neuropores
can result in neural tube defects
such as anencephaly or spina
bifida.

5. Causes
• A mother’s exposure to certain
environmental toxins, medications,
exposure to high temperatures
diabetes and obesity may be risk
factors for pregnancy complications,
inadequate intake of folic acid.
• A lack of this key nutrient may
raise your risk of having a baby with
other neural tube defects in addition
to anencephaly, such as spina
bifida. Pregnant women can
minimize this risk with folic acid
supplements or diet changes.

6. Anencephaly
•In anencephaly, most of the
brain and skull do not develop.
• This often results in a baby
being born without the front
part of the brain (forebrain)
and the thinking and
coordinating

7. •There are three types of anencephaly:
 Meroanencephaly : where there is rudimentary
brain tissue and partial formation of the cranium
 Holoanencephaly : the most common type,
in which the brain is completely absent
 Craniorachischisis : the most severe,
where area cerebrovasculosa and
area medullovasculosa fill both cranial defects and the
spinal column.

8. Diagnosis
• Anencephaly can be
diagnosed during pregnancy
or after the baby is born.

9. During Pregnancy
• During pregnancy, there are screening
tests (prenatal tests) to check for birth defects
and other conditions.
• Anencephaly would result in an abnormal result
on a blood or serum screening test or it might be
seen during an ultrasound (which creates
pictures of the body).

10. After the Baby is Born
• In some cases, anencephaly might
not be diagnosed until after the
baby is born. Anencephaly is
immediately seen at birth.

11. Treatments
• There is no known cure or
standard treatment
for anencephaly.
• Almost all babies born with
anencephaly will die shortly after
birth.

12. • Spina bifida occurs during development
prior to birth. It’s when the spinal cord,
brain, or meninges (their protective
covering) does not completely develop.
• It can be anywhere along the spine and
usually can be seen in an opening in the
baby’s back at birth or a sack of fluid
that has grown outside the body on the
spine.
• This sack may or may not include the
spinal cord inside.
Spina bifida

13. Types of spina bifida
spina bifida
myelomeningocele meningocele occulta

14.  Myelomeningocele
• This is the most common and serious type of
spina bifida.
• It involves a sack outside the opening in the
baby’s back somewhere on the spine.
• This sack contains parts of the spinal cord and
nerves.The spinal cord and nerves in the sack
will be damaged.

15. • People with myelomeningocele have physical
disabilities that range from moderate to severe.
These disabilities may include:
 incontinence
 difficulty going to
the bathroom
 inability to move or feel
their legs or feet

16.  Meningocele
• This type of spina bifida also involves a
sack of fluid outside an opening in the
baby’s back.
• The sack does not contain any part of the
spinal cord.
• Because there isn’t a lot of nerve
damage, meningocele causes only minor
disabilities.

17.  Spina bifida occulta
• This is a mild type of spina bifida. It may also
go by the term “hidden” spina bifida.
• It does not cause any disabilities and may go
unnoticed until later in life
• .There is usually no opening in the baby’s
back, but only a gap in the spine.
• In this type, there is no damage to the spinal
cord or the nerves.

18. Symptoms of spina bifida
• The symptoms of spina bifida
are different for each type.They
can also vary from person to
person within each type.

19. • Symptoms of myelomeningocele
1. open spinal canal over some vertebrae, usually
in the middle or lower part of the back
2. membranes and spinal cord pushed outside the
back in an exposed or skin-covered sack
3. weak or paralyzed leg muscles
4. seizures
5. deformed feet
6. hips that are not even
7. scoliosis (curved spine)
8. issues with the bowel and bladder

20. • Symptoms of meningocele
1.small opening in the back
2.sack that’s visible at birth
3.membranes pushing out through the
opening in the vertebrae into sack
4.normal development of the spinal cord

21. • Symptoms of spina bifida occulta
1.a gap in between vertebrae
2.no visible opening outside
3.no fluid-filled sack outside the body
4.small birthmark or dimple on the back
5.small group or cluster of hair on the back
6.an area of extra fat on the back

22. Treatment
• The treatment for spina bifida will be
different for each person because
symptoms and severity can vary. In
some cases, especially in spina bifida
occulta, there may not be any
treatment needed.

23. • However, myelomeningocele and
meningocele require surgery to put the
exposed sack and nerves back in place.
• The surgeon will then close the
opening over the vertebrae.
• This surgery may be performed shortly after
the child’s birth.
• In some cases, prenatal surgery may be
done while the baby is still in the womb.

24. • Even after surgery is performed, some symptoms
and disability can remain.They will need to be
managed based on the severity of each symptom.
• Paralysis and bowel and bladder issues typically
remain throughout life.Treatment for remaining
symptoms can include:
1. additional surgeries
2. medications
3. physical therapy
4. rehabilitation services
5. walking aids

25. Thank yo
u