Neural Tube Defects and Associated Congenital Malformations in Intrauterine Dead and Stillborn Foetuses- A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUNDNeural tube defects are one of the commonest cause of congenital malformations, which affects 4.5 per 1000 total births in India. 1 These defects occur due to abnormal neurulation during embryogenesis. Neural tube defects (NTD) are grouped into upper NTD and lower NTD. Upper NTDs are more severe than lower NTDs and these may cause spontaneous abortion, death in utero and perinatal deaths. The foetuses with NTDs show congenital malformations of other organs. Among these cardiovascular, genitourinary and musculoskeletal anomalies are most common.This study aims at examining severity of neural tube defects and associated congenital malformations in intrauterine dead and stillborn foetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis cross-sectional study was done in 50 foetuses. Among fifty foetuses, 13 IUD babies with visible NTDs were selected for this study. Gross external and internal examination of the foetuses were done. RESULTSAmong fifty foetuses, thirteen were affected by NTD. Craniorachischisis was the commonest anomaly (9 foetuses, 69.23%) followed by cranioschisis (2 foetuses, 15.38%). One foetus had occipital encephalocele and another one had hydrocephalus with meningomyelocele. Some associated malformations like adrenal hypoplasia, Meckel's Diverticulum, persistent truncus and double ureters were noted. The associated anomalies were explained on embryological basis. CONCLUSIONFormation of neural tube is a complex process. Defects in its formation can lead to abnormality in development of the nervous system. It also can affect the development of other systems in our body.