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Postnatal management and outcome for neural tube defects including spina bifida and encephalocoeles

Dominic N P Thompson1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK. thompd@gosh.nhs.uk

Prenatal Diagnosis
|February 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Neural tube defects (NTDs) like myelomeningocele and encephalocele are common congenital malformations. Early management and anatomical features can help predict functional outcomes for affected children.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Medical Genetics

Background:

  • Neural tube defects (NTDs), including myelomeningocele and encephalocele, remain common congenital malformations despite recent incidence declines.
  • Improved perinatal and postnatal care have reduced mortality rates associated with these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline contemporary early management strategies for myelomeningocele and encephalocele.
  • To examine the prospects for functional outcomes in individuals with NTDs.
  • To explore how early anatomical features can predict long-term outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current multidisciplinary management approaches for NTDs.
  • Analysis of factors influencing functional outcomes in patients with NTDs.
  • Correlation of early anatomical characteristics with predicted long-term disability and dependency.

Main Results:

  • Advances in multidisciplinary care have improved functional outcomes for many children with myelomeningocele.
  • A significant population of NTD patients still face reduced life expectancy and substantial cognitive/physical disabilities.
  • Early anatomical features show potential in predicting the spectrum of functional outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Early and comprehensive management is crucial for optimizing outcomes in NTDs.
  • Predictive markers, such as early anatomical features, can aid in personalized care planning.
  • Further research into predicting and improving long-term functional outcomes for NTD patients is warranted.

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