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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Monitoring the Mechanical Evolution of Tissue During Neural Tube Closure of Chick Embryo
Published on: November 10, 2023
[Clinical condition of patients with neural tube defects]
1III. Detská klinika Lekárskej fakulty Univerzity Komenského a Detskej fakultnej nemocnice s poliklinikou v Bratislavé, Slovenská republika. lucia.sabova@yahoo.com
Insights
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common birth defects. This study found that the severity of neurological deficiency in NTD patients is the key predictor for other clinical outcomes and long-term care needs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Neural tube defects (NTDs) are prevalent central nervous system congenital anomalies.
- Early intervention with folic acid can reduce NTD occurrence by up to 70%.
- Clinical presentation and management of NTDs require multidisciplinary care.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the clinical status of pediatric patients with neural tube defects.
- To analyze the correlation between defect characteristics and patient outcomes.
Summary:
- A study of 94 patients with NTDs revealed that open defects (e.g., meningomyelocele) are associated with more severe neurological deficits.
- Outcomes such as hydrocephalus, epilepsy, skeletal deformities, and urinary/bowel dysfunction were more common in patients with open defects.
- Locomotion ability and defect level significantly correlated with various clinical features, including scoliosis and continence.
Impact:
- Neurological deficiency level is the primary prognostic factor for NTD patients.
- Findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and tailored management strategies for improving patient outcomes.
- This research provides valuable insights for healthcare providers managing children with neural tube defects.
Introduction:
Neural tube defects are the most common congenital anomalies of central nervous system. Their onset is at the embryonic age of 21 to 28 days. Periconceptional administration of folic acid may reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects up to 70%. Clinical features depend on localization of the defect and malformation of central nervous system, as well as on intensive multidisciplinary care in early stages of development. Open defects (meningomyelocele) present with more severe neurological deficiency early after birth. Closed defect manifestation occurs usually later in life with tethered cord syndrome.
Purpose:
This study evaluates clinical status of the patients with neural tube defects, who are followed in the Children's Faculty Hospital in Bratislava.
Methods:
Cross-sectional and also retrospective study was conducted by questionnaire that was given to mothers of children with neural tube defect. Data about perinatal and family history, occurrence of hydrocephalus, scoliosis, joint deformities, dysfunction of urinary system and bowel, as well as social care, were collected. Clinical features were statistically evaluated depending on beginning of the defect or locomotion status.
Results:
94 patients with mean age of 12.7 years +/- 6.59 SD were included in the study. Patients with open defects had more severe neurological deficiency with hydrocephalus, more common epilepsy, skeleton deformities, wheelchair-dependency, and dysfunction of urinary tract and bowel. Scoliosis and ability of locomotion significantly correlated with higher lever of defect, while hydrocephalus, continence, urinary infections, clean intermittent catheterization, constipation, scoliosis and joint deformities significantly correlated with the ability of locomotion (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
For patients with neural tube defects, the level of neurological deficiency is the most important prognostic factor for many other clinical characteristics.
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