AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF SPECTRUM OF CONGENITAL SPINAL DEFECTS IN CHILDREN ATTENDING PAEDIATRIC OUTPATIENT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTHERN INDIA

Congenital anomalies in children are not infrequent and the birth defects of cardiovascular and digestive systems are the most common. Congenital spinal defects have prevalence and incidence of about 2.74% and 1-3 per 1000 live births respectively. The range of spinal defects may vary from a tuft of hair with an underlying spina bi?da to various types of spinal dysraphism. This observational study was undertaken to study the spectrum of neural tube defects among children attending the pediatric outpatient of a tertiary care hospital. Twenty-one children were included in the study. Fourteen infants were less than 1-year old and seven were between 2-7 years of age. Fourteen children had meningomyelocele (MMC). The commonest site was in the lumbosacral region. Seven patients of MMC had associated hydrocephalus, and seven had talipes deformity. Other accompanying defects included pes cavus, pectus carinatum, polydactyly and congenital heart defects, seen in one case each. Soft ?uctuant swelling over the spine, kyphoscoliosis, ?accid paralysis of lower extremities, and incontinence of urine were the cardinal symptoms. CT Scan and MRI in these children helped us to assess the quantum of de?cit involving the vertebra and spinal cord. This paper highlights the range of spinal abnormality seen in children with the similar clinical presentation, and therefore the need for neuroimaging in all cases with suspected neural tube defect (NTD) for proper management and prognostication

Mitochondrial dysfunction in neural tube defects / 国际儿科学杂志

Neural tube defects are a group of severe congenital malformations, including anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele, which happen when neural tube fails to achieve proper closure during early embryogenesis.Mitochondria are an important site for biological oxidation and substance metabolism, as well as an important component in maintaining homeostasis of the intracellular environment.Mitochondria are also involved in the process of oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryonic development.Normal function of mitochondria is the key to the normal development of embryos.Therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction may be one of the mechanisms of neural tube closure failure.Slc25a32, SHMT2, MTHFD2/MTHFD2L, MTHFD1L and glycine cleavage system(GCS)are a series of key molecules of the mitochondrial one-carbon metabolic pathway.This paper reviews the research progress of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of neural tube malformation by starting from several key molecules and combining with the two main metabolic pathways of one-carbon metabolic chain and oxidative respiratory chain.

The Effects of Folic Acid in Fetuses and Newborns / 中国药学杂志

Folic acid is one of the essential nutrients for human health. Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is important to prevent fetal neural tube defects. This article briefly reviews its current clinical use from the basic characteristics and mechanism of folic acid, and also reviews the latest literature of fetal, neonatal and children. The terms such as "fetus", "newborn", "folate", "infant, newborn" [Mesh], and "folic acid" [Mesh] are used to search for relevant research from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, PubMed and The Cochrane Library. Summary of domestic and foreign studies: folic acid may be associated with fetal neural tube defects, the relationship between folic acid and fetal birth defects, fetal growth restriction and perinatal mortality remains to be further studied; in addition, folic acid is associated with neonatal asphyxia and brain injury; may be associated with childhood asthma, mental retardation and immunity. It can be seen that although the correlation between folic acid and various diseases still needs more scientific research, it is recommended that periconception and pregnant should reasonably supplement folic acid.

Epidemiological study of neural tube defects in Jammu division, India

Background: Prevalence and spectrum of neural tube defects has undergone seasonal and secular variations in different regions of the world since the turn of last century. However precise etiology inspite of lot of research has not been clearly elucidated.Methods: The study was conducted in Government Medical College Hospital and SMGS Hospital Jammu in patients diagnosed to have a neural tube defect from birth to 19 years. History regarding sociodemographic profile, antenatal history and significant birth history was elicited. Complete general physical examination, Local examination of the lesion was carried out and neural tube defects were classified. All the cases were subjected to ultrasound head to determine ventricular size and rule out hydrocephalus. The data was entered in Microsoft Excel and results were presented in form of percentages and proportions.Results: Maximum children admitted were in the age group of <1 month and belonged to Jammu district. Commonest anomaly seen was lumbosacral meningomyelocele with associated hydrocephalus and neural deficit. Mothers who gave birth to an NTD affected child were commonly in the age group of 20-30 years, with commonest NTD affected sib being 1stborn and most of parents being from very low socio-economic strata of society. Only 7 mothers had received antenatal advice with ultrasound and almost none had received folic acid either before or after conception.Conclusions: Neural tube defects appear to be fairly common anomaly among females of lower socioeconomic strata, living in far flung mountainous regions of the state, devoid of proper health care facilities and education.

Prevalence of low folate deficiency after wheat flour supplementation - should we still measure serum folate?

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the frequency of folic acid deficiency in consecutive serum folate determinations and to determine whether there was a significant decrease in serum folate deficiency after folate was added to wheat flour. Methods: A retrospective descriptive observational study was performed of consecutive folate measurements at the Hospital Privado Universitario, Cordoba, Argentina. Results: Two cohorts were analyzed: 1197 folate measurements between 2001 and 2008 (before supplementation) and 3335 folate measurements from 2009 to 2014 (after supplementation). Folate deficiency was found in 84/1197 (7%) subjects in the pre-supplementation group and in 58/3335 (1.73%) after supplementation. The prevalence of folate deficiency was 12% between 2001 and 2003 when folate was not added to flour compared to 4% in 2004-2007 (p-value < 0.0001) when folate was added to the flour but no widespread use was documented. Conclusions: In the studied population, the prevalence of serum folic acid deficiency after folate supplementation was low at 1.73%. There was a significant decrease in folate deficiency after folate was added to wheat flour. Given the low prevalence of folic acid deficiency observed in this and similar studies, and the observed change with supplementation, we conclude that routine measurement of serum folate is of limited clinical use.

Pregnancy outcomes among women with high and low risk in first and second trimester prenatal screening analysis / 预防医学

Objective To analyze adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with high risk and low risk during prenatal screening. Methods Clinical data of 180006 pregnancies in 5 prenatal screening center in Hangzhou were collected. We compared the adverse pregnancy outcomes of high and low risk pregnancies. Results Among 180006 pregnancies (age<35 years old), there were 10296 high-risk cases and 169710 low-risk cases, with 168654 cases followed. There were 9406 high-risk cases of Down's syndrome (DS) (5.23％), 273 high-risk cases of Edwards' syndrome (ES) (0.15％) and 617 high-risk cases of open neural tube defect (ONTD) (0.34％) . The detection rate of pregnancy outcome of premature birth, spontaneous abortion, termination of pregnancy, stillbirth in the high risk was 5.46％, 0.80％, 1.80％, 0.37％, respectively, and that rate in low risk results was 3.50％, 0.21％, 0.38％, 0.18％, respectively. Adverse pregnancy outcomes in high-risk group were significantly higher than that in low-risk group (all P<0.001) . The actual incidence rate of DS, ES or ONTD in high-risk group (4.56‰, 1.65‰, 0.97‰, respectively) were significantly higher than that in low-risk group (0.12‰, 0.04‰, 0.09‰, respectively, all P<0.001) . The detection rates of prenatal screening were 70.15％, 68.00％ and 38.46％, and false positive rates were 5.23％ , 0.14％ and 0.34％ . Conclusion High risk of serum prenatal screening analysis is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The number of pregnancies experienced invasive prenatal diagnosis can be reduced by routine serum prenatal screening. That is an Effective method to reduce the birth defects.

Effect of maternal obesity on children's mental status / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

In recent years,obesity is becoming one of the focus problems of social public concern.Maternal obesity may pose a threat on maternal health,for examble the increase of obstetrical complications,it may also affect the short-term and long-term health of the offspring.Maternal obesity may affect children's mental disorder,no review to date has discussed it systematically in China.Now,the health hazards of maternal obesity for the offspring including childhood autism spectrum disorder,attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,neural tube defects,neurobehavioral development disorders and so forth were reviewed,and to provide a reasonable guidance of obesity management.

Polimorfismo C677T del gen de la metilentetrahidrofolato reductasa en madres de niños afectados con defectos del tubo neural / C677T polymorphism of the methylentetrahydrofolate reductase gene in mothers of children affected with neural tube defects.

Los defectos del tubo neural (DTN) son las alteraciones congénitas más frecuentes del sistema nervioso central. El mecanismo de transmisión hereditario de los DTN aislados es multifactorial, se debe a la interacción de factores ambientales y genéticos. El polimorfismo 677C>T del gen de la metilentetrahidrofolato reductasa (MTHFR) ha sido implicado como factor de riesgo para DTN. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la asociación del polimorfismo 677C>T del gen de la MTHFR como factor de riesgo en los DTN. Se analizaron muestras de ADN de 52 madres con antecedente de al menos un hijo con DTN y de 119 madres controles. A través de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa se amplificó un fragmento de 198 pb, el cual se sometió a digestión con la enzima HinfI. La frecuencia alélica de la MTHFR en los grupos problema y control fue de 51,92% y 34,45%; para el alelo T y 48,08% y 65,55%; para el C respectivamente. Se encontró diferencia significativa entre las frecuencias del alelo T y del alelo C (p: 0,002), así como entre las frecuencias genotípicas (p: 0,007) al ser comparadas en ambos grupos. El odds ratio (OR) para el genotipo TT vs CC se estimó como OR: 4,9 [IC 95%: 1,347-6,416] p: 0,002; CT+TT vs CC: OR: 2,9 [IC 95%: 1,347-6,416] p: 0,005; TT vs CT+CC: OR: 2,675 [IC 95%: 1,111-6,441] p: 0,024. Los presentes datos aportan una asociación significativa entre el polimorfismo 677C>T de la MTHFR y riesgo aumentado en las madres con antecedente de hijos con DTN.

Neural tube defects (NTD) are the most common congenital anomalies of the central nervous system, with a multifactorial pattern of inheritance, presumably involving the interaction of several genetic and environmental factors. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene 677C>T polymorphism has been implicated as a risk factor for NTD. The main objective of this research was to investigate the association of the 677C>T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene as a genetic risk factor for NTD. Molecular analysis was performed in DNA samples from 52 mothers with antecedent of NTD offspring and from 119 healthy control mothers. Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction, a 198 bases pairs fragment was digested with the restriction enzyme HinfI. 677T MTHFR allele frequencies for the problem and the control groups were 51.92% and 34.45%, respectively, and 677C MTHFR allele frequencies were 48.08% and 65.55%, respectively. There were significant differences in allele (p: 0.002) and genotype (p: 0.007) frequencies between these two groups. The odds ratio (OR) to the TT genotype vs the CC genotype was estimated as OR: 4.9 [95% CI: 1,347-6.416] p: 0.002; CT+TT vs CC: OR: 2.9 [95% CI: 1.347-6.416] p: 0.005; TT vs CT+CC: OR: 2.675 [95% CI: 1,111-6.441] p: 0.024. The data presented in this study support the relationship between MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism and risk in mothers with antecedent of NTD offspring.

Risk factors, organ weight deviation and associated anomalies in neural tube defects: A prospective fetal and perinatal autopsy series.

Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTD) are a group of serious birth defects occurring due to defective closure of neural tube during embryonic development. It comprises of anencephaly, encephalocele and spina bifi da. We conducted this prospective fetal autopsy series to study the rate and distribution of NTD, analyze the reproductive factors and risk factors, note any associated anomalies and evaluate the organ weights and their deviation from normal. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study done over a period of 6 years from August, 2007 to July, 2013. All cases of NTDs delivered as abortion, still born and live born were included. The reproductive and risk factors like age, parity, multiple births, previous miscarriage, obesity, diabetes mellitus, socioeconomic status and use of folic acid during pregnancy were collected. Autopsy was performed according to Virchow’s technique. Detail external and internal examination were carried out to detect any associated anomalies. Gross and microscopic examination of organs were done. Results: Out of 210 cases of fetal and perinatal autopsy done, 72 (34.28%) had NTD constituting 49 cases of anencephaly, 16 spina bifi da and 7 cases of encephalocele. The mothers in these cases predominantly were within 25-29 years (P = 0.02) and primy (P = 0.01). Female sex was more commonly affected than males (M:F = 25:47, P = 0.0005) There was no history of folate use in majority of cases. Organ weight deviations were >2 standard deviation low in most of the cases. Most common associated anomalies were adrenal hypoplasia and thymic hyperplasia. Conclusion: The authors have made an attempt to study NTD cases in respect to maternal reproductive and risk factors and their association with NTD along with the organ weight deviation and associated anomalies. This so far in our knowledge is an innovative study which was not found in literature even after extensive search.

Asociación entre diastematomielia y meduloepitelioma: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Association between diastematomyelia and medullo epithelioma: case report and literature review

Aim: Case report of association between diastematomyelia and medulloepithelioma. Method: 14-year-old patient with lower back pain and recent neurological deficit in extremities. CT and MRI scans of the thoracolumbar spine revealed a diastematomyelia. Intraoperative examination confirmed the presence of a spinal dysraphism and associated tumor, which was almost completely resected. Result: Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with medulloepithelioma. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion: Diastematomyelia may manifest during adolescence as lower back pain and neurological deficit. The association of this malformation with a neoplasia is extremely rare; the present case describes concomitance with medulloepithelioma.

Reporte de un caso de asociación de diastematomielia y meduloepitelioma. Método: Paciente de 14 años con dolor lumbar y déficit neurológico en extremidades de reciente instalación. En TAC y RNM de columna dorsolumbar se pesquisa una diastematomielia. La exploración intraoperatoria, comprueba la presencia de una disrafia espinal y un tumor asociado al defecto, que se reseca casi en su totalidad. Resultado: Los hallazgos histopatológicos e inmunohistoquímicos son concordante con meduloepitelioma. La paciente tuvo un postoperatorio satisfactorio. Conclusión: La diastematomielia se puede manifestar durante la adolescencia como dolor lumbar y déficit neurológico. La asociación de esta malformación, con una neoplasia es muy poco frecuente, el presente caso describe la concomitancia con un meduloepitelioma.

Giant Fronto-parietal Encephalocele: A rare case report.

Although encephaloceles are common, but giant encephaloceles are rare with only few published short series and are mostly described in occipital location. Giant frontal encephaloceles are very rarely reported with only four published case reports in the world literature and giant encephalocele in fronto-parietal region has not been reported till date. Herein, we report a rare case of giant frontoparietal encephalocele in a six month old girl.

Advances in the relationship between key genes in inositol metabolism and neural tube defects / 国际儿科学杂志

Neural tube defect (NTD) is a complex and serious birth defect in the central nervous system.The etiology of NTD is multifactorial,involving the combined action of both genetic and environmental factors.Maternal nutrition is a significant environmental factor in NTD etiology,including vitamin B,folic acid,choline,and so on.Inositol,a substance of vitamin B,is closely related to embryonic development and NTD.Studies have found out that inositol supplement can prevent folic acid-resistant NTD and the key genes in its metabolic pathways play an important role in NTD occurrence.Therefore,this article reviews the inositol metabolic pathways and the relationship between its key genes and NTD,providing references for the depth study of NTD pathogenesis and prevention.

Pregnant women serum microR-423 as a biomarker for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal neural tube defect / 国际儿科学杂志

Objective The discovery of microRNA (miRNA) in maternal serum has opened up new possibilities for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.However,our understanding of these pregnancy-related miRNA in the serum of pregnant women with fetuses with neural tube defects (NTDs) is still limited.This article is to study the dysregulated expression of microRNA-423 (miR-423) in the serum of pregnant women with neural tube defect(NTD) fetuses and its potential role as a biomarker for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal NTD.Methods Thirty-three pregnant women whose fetuses were diagnosed as neural tube defects by ultrasound (22 cases of spina bifida and 11 cases of anencephaly)and 33 normal pregnant women were selected.Peripheral venous blood of each pregnant woman was obtained early in the morning,the serum was purified from blood by centrifugation,then total RNA was isolated from serum and the miR-423 levels were detected by real-time RT-PCR.The ROC curve was used for assessing the diagnostic accuracy of miR-423 for fetal NTD.Results We revealed miR-423 with signifcant down-regulation in expression in serum of pregnant women with NTD fetuses (0.96 ±0.14) compared as women with normal pregnancies(2.28 ±0.43) (P ＜0.05).We performed ROC analysis of data from the 33 case-control pairs.The expression of miR-423 could distinguish NTD cases from normal controls,with an AUC of 0.711 (95 ％ CI:0.566 ～ 0.856) (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the expression of miR423 decreased only in serum of pregnant women with anencephaly fetuses(0.58 ±0.08)by the analysis in different forms of NTD.Conclusion miR-423 is deregulated in the serum of pregnant women with NTD fetuses and highlight the clinical potential of miR-423 as biomarker for diagnosis and prognostication of fetal NTD.

Meroencephaly.

Anencephaly which is basically a misnomer used in place of meroencephaly for a long time is one of the most common birth defect that is seen in stillborn fetuses. It has multifactorial relations with environment , genetics as well as nutrition.It can be diagnosed by ultrasound, serum alfafetoprotein (AFP) level. The present study was done of a female aborted fetus of 32 weeks having anencephaly whose specimen was present in our department. So we planned to present a case report of this very anomaly with its development and genetic causes that lead to this lethal but preventable congenital defect.

Gross Congenital Malformation at Birth in a Government Hospital.

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine proportion of gross congenital malformation (GCMF) occurring at intramural births. Rate of GCMF was found to be 16.4/1000 consecutive singleton births (>28 weeks) with three leading malformation as anencephaly (44.68%), talipes equinovarus (17.02%) and meningomyelocele (10.63%). Higher risk of malformed births were noticed amongst un-booked (2.07%) in-comparison to booked (1.01%) mothers; women with low level of education (up to 8 years [2.14%] vs. at least 9 years of schooling [0.82%]); gravida status of at least 3 (2.69%) followed by 1 (1.43%) and 2 (1.0%) respectively; pre-term (5.13%) vs. term (0.66%); cesarean section (4.36%) versus vaginal delivery (0.62%). Mortality was signifi cantly higher among congenitally malformed (17.35%) than normal (0.34%) newborns. With-in study limitation, emergence of neural tube defect as the single largest category of congenital malformation indicates maternal malnutrition (especially folic acid) that needs appropriate attention and management.

SCREENING AND GENETIC COUNSELING OF DOWN′S SYNDROME IN THE SECOND TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY / 现代医院

Objective To investigate the clinical value of screening and genetic counseling of Down ′s syndrome in the second trimester of pregnancy for prevention of birth defects .Methods Fetal risk assessments were conducted by detecting concentration of alpha fetoprotein (AFP), free chorionic gonadotropin (Free-βHCG) and free female three alcohol (uE3) in maternal serum from pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy (14 ~20 +6 weeks) and combining with maternal age , weight, gestational weeks, ultrasonography (neck soft tissue thickness, NT) using a professional software.The high risk pregnant women had voluntary choice of amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis after genetic counseling and informed consent , while regular follow -ups were done to those with low risks .Results Among 3 673 cases of pregnant women , 246 cases were at the high risk of DS , 17 cases of Trisomy 18 syndrome , 19 cases of Neural tube defects ( NTD) , with the positive rates of 6.7%, 0.46%, 0.52%, respectively .The total positive rate of pregnant women at the age of over 35 years was higher than those at the age of below 35 years old (p<0.01).Conclusion The screening of Down′s syndrome in mid trimester is a noninvasive method with high detection rate .There is important clinical value in prevention of birth defects , but we should do a good job about genetic counseling and interpretation in the process of screening and follow-up.

Impacto de la fortificación de la harina de trigo con ácido fólico en los defectos del tubo neural, en Lima, Perú / Impact of fortifying wheat flour with folic acid on neural tube defects in Lima, Peru

Introducción: En los últimos años, estudios observacionales en algunos países de América Latina y el mundo demostraron una asociación favorable entre la fortificación de la harina con ácido fólico y la reducción de casos con defectos del tubo neural (DTN). Objetivos: Determinar la tasa de incidencia global (TIG) de DTN y su reducción en el periodo posfortificación (2006-2010) de la harina de trigo con ácido fólico. Diseño: Observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo. Lugar: Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal INMP, Lima, Perú. Participantes: Recién nacidos entre los años 2006-2010. Intervenciones: Se revisó 88 236 historias clínicas de recién nacidos. Se obtuvo promedios, desviación estándar, frecuencias absolutas y relativas; la tendencia de las incidencias fue medida con Prais Winsten. Se calculó el IC 95% para la TIG con la prueba de Poissón. Principales medidas de resultados: Tasa de Incidencia global de DTN. Resultados: Hubo 77 historias de RN con DTN, que representaron una TIG de 8,73 por 10 000 (IC 95%: 6,9 a 10,9), siendo la incidencia más alta 15,6 x 10 000 (IC 95%: 10,2 a 22,9) el año 2006 y la más baja 7,6 por 10 000 (IC95%: 4,1 a 13,0) el año 2010. Las incidencias de los tipos DTN fueron: espina bífida 6,7 por 10 000 (IC 95%: 5,1 a 8,6), anencefalia 1,9 por 10 000 (IC 95%: 1,1 a 3,1) y encefalocele 1 por 10 000 (IC 95%: 0,1 a 0,6). Conclusiones: La incidencia de los DTN en el INMP disminuyó a 8,7 por 10 000 RN en el periodo posfortificación (2006-2010) de la harina de trigo con ácido fólico, evidenciando impacto positivo de la intervención.

Introduction: Observational epidemiologic studies conducted during the past years in several countries reported favorable association between wheat flour fortified with folic acid and reduced cases of neural tube defects (NTD). Objectives: To determine the global incidence rate (GIR) of neuronal tube defects (NTD) and their reduction in the post-fortifying phase (2006-2010) of wheat flour with folic acid. Design: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study. Setting: Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal -INMP, Peru. Participants: Neonates. Interventions: We reviewed 88 236 medical histories of neonates born between 2006 and 2010 and average, standard deviations, absolute and relative frequencies were obtained. NTD trend was measured statistically by Prais Winsten. Poisson test was used to measure 95% CI for GIR of NTD. Main outcome measures: Global incidence rate (GIR) of NTD. Results: A total of 77 medical histories were found to have NTD, representing a GIR of 8.7 per 10 000 (95% CI: 6,9-10,9) neonates. The highest incidence of 15.6 per 10 000 (95% CI: 10.2-22.9) was found in 2006 and the lowest 7.61 per 10 000 (95% IC: 4,1-13,0) in 2010. Incidences by NTD types were: spina bifida 6.7 per 10 000 (95% CI: 5.1-8.6), anencephaly 1.9 per 10 000 (95% CI: 1.1-3.1), and encephalocele 1 per 10 000 (95% CI: 0.1-0.6). Conclusions: NTD incidence at INMP decreased to 8,7 x 10 000 neonates during 2006-2010 after use of wheat flour fortified with folic acid, which provides positive evidence of the intervention impact.

Defecto del tubo neural, prolapso genital neonatal y polimorfismo de la metiltetrahidrofolato reductasa: presentación de un caso / NTD, neonatal genital prolapse and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism: case report

Se reporta el caso de una recién nacida femenina de 26 días de edad, con mielomeningocele toracolumbar, hidrocefalia y prolapso genital. En el Instituto de Investigaciones Genéticas de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, se analizaron 6 muestras de ácido desoxirribonucleico, correspondientes a afectada, madre, padre y 3 controles. En esta familia se interrelacionan la anomalía congénita y los factores de riesgo genético y ambiental, lo que permitió adecuado asesoramiento genético.

We report the case of a female newborn 26 days old with thoracolumbar myelomeningocele, hydrocephalus and genital prolapse. In Genetic Research Institute of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, 6 samples of oxyribonucleic acid corresponding to affected mother, father and 3 controls were analyzed. In this family are interrelated congenital anomaly and genetic risk factors and environmental, allowing appropriate genetic counseling.

Agenesia sacra asociada a disrrafismo espinal e hidrocefalia / Sacra agenesia associated to spinal dysraphism and hydrocephaly

Introducción: la agenesia sacra es una malformación congénita rara que forma parte del síndrome de regresión caudal. Se caracteriza por un grupo de anomalías en las cuales la columna caudal está ausente. Esta enfermedad es la malformación más frecuente en los hijos de madres diabéticas, además se ha relacionado con otros factores predisponentes, como deficiencias de ácido fólico, de vitaminas, uso de insulina en el embarazo, e incluso, la hipoxia. Entre un 30-40 por ciento de pacientes con agenesia sacra completa, pueden tener asociado un mielomeningocele, y el desplazamiento de las raíces nerviosas empeora los trastornos neurológicos. En estos casos, la hidrocefalia, muchas veces también asociada a malformación Chiari tipo II, está ya presente al nacer. Caso clínico: se presenta el caso de un neonato con agenesia sacra asociada a disrrafismo espinal e hidrocefalia. La intervención quirúrgica fue precoz, se le colocó derivación ventrículo peritoneal y se realizó la reparación del defecto del tubo neural. La evolución posoperatoria fue favorable, aunque persistieron los déficits neurológicos preoperatorios. Conclusiones: no se hallaron factores predisponentes en este paciente y el análisis del cariotipo fue normal. Las anomalías óseas de miembros inferiores fueron las más llamativas, así como la presencia de hidrocefalia asociada a malformación Chiari tipo II y mielomeningocele. El tratamiento a estos casos requiere de un enfoque multidisciplinar, y la reparación quirúrgica del mielomeningocele debe ser precoz para conseguir una evolución favorable. Las formas graves pueden ocasionar una muerte temprana neonatal, en cambio, los niños que sobreviven, generalmente presentan inteligencia normal

Introduction: sacra agenesia is a rare congenital malformation as part of the caudal regression syndrome. It is characterized by a group of anomalies in which the caudal cord is absent. This disease is the most common malformation found in children from diabetic mothers but it has also been related to other predisposing factors such as folic acid deficiencies, vitamin deficiencies, use of insulin at pregnancy and even hypoxia. Thirty to forty percent of patients with complete sacra agenesia can also have myelomeningocele, and the displacement of nerve roots worsens the neurological disorders. In these cases, hydrocephaly, many times associated to Chiari malformation type II, is also present at birth. Clinical case: a neonate with sacra agenesia associated to spinal dysraphism and hydrocephaly. Surgical intervention was performed early, a peritoneal ventricular derivation was placed and the neural tube defect was repaired. The post-surgery evolution was favorable, but the preoperative neurological deficits persisted. Conclusions: there were no predisposing factors in this patient and the analysis of the cariotype was normal. The bone anomalies of the lower members were the most remarkable aspects as well as the hydrocephaly associated to Chiari malformation type II and myelomeningocele. The treatment of these cases requires multidisciplinary approach and surgical repair of the myelomeningocele at early phase to achieve favorable evolution. The most severe forms can cause early neonatal death; however, those surviving children generally present normal intelligence coefficient

Determinants of neural tube defect (NTD)-protective circulating concentrations of folate in women of child-bearing age in the US post-folic acid fortification era

We evaluated folate status of child-bearing age women diagnosed with abnormal pap smear in the US post-folic acid (FA) fortification era and assessed the determinants of NTD-protective and supra-physiologic (SP) concentrations of folate. The distribution of 843 women according to NTD-protective concentrations of RBC folate, plasma folate and SP concentrations of plasma folate were tested in relation to demographic and life-style factors. Logistic regression models specified NTD-protective concentrations of RBC and plasma folate or SP concentrations of plasma folate as dependent variables and demographic and life-style factors as independent predictors of interest. More than 82% reached NTD-protective concentrations of RBC and plasma folate and ~30% reached SP concentrations of plasma folate. FA supplement use was associated with having SP concentrations of plasma folate rather than NTD-protective concentrations of folate. African American (AA) women and smokers were significantly less likely to achieve NTD-protective concentrations of RBC and plasma folate. A large majority of women reached NTD-protective concentrations of folate with the current level of FA fortification without using supplementary FA. Therefore, the remaining disparities in AA women and in smokers should be addressed by targeted individual improvements in folate intake.