Abstract
Neural tube defects result from failure of neurulation during the early development of the central nervous system. Although any segment of the developing CNS can be involved, most cases affect the lumbosacral level. Multiple factors have been identified that increase the risk for neural tube defects. Dietary supplementation with folic acid has been shown to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in many parts of the world. Most individuals, who have myelomeningocele, survive into adulthood and live a very functional life. Medical care of individuals with myelomeningocele is lifelong and requires neurological, orthopedic, urological, and other disciplines to work together to manage not only primary conditions but also many secondary and associated conditions. This chapter provides a brief review of epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment principles for myelomeningocele.
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This chapter is adapted with permission from author’s previous work: Patel et al. [11].
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Patel, D.R. (2011). Myelomeningocele. In: Patel, D., Greydanus, D., Omar, H., Merrick, J. (eds) Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0627-9_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0627-9_16
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