Open AccessArnold Chiari Malformation with Spina Bifida: A Lost Opportunity of Folic Acid Supplementation
Author(s) -
Deepa Ganesh
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of clinical and diagnostic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2249-782X
pISSN - 0973-709X
DOI - 10.7860/jcdr/2014/11242.5335
Subject(s) - medicine , foramen magnum , chiari malformation , spina bifida , neural tube defect , neural tube , spinal cord , hydrocephalus , encephalocele , folic acid , surgery , syringomyelia , biology , genetics , embryo , psychiatry
In Arnold Chiari (kee-AHR-ee) II malformation elongated cerebellar tonsils are displaced inferiorly through the Foramen Magnum into the upper cervical spinal canal. It is a complex anomaly with skull, dura, brain, spine and cord manifestations. Meningomyelocele is seen in all cases. We present a case of type II Arnold Chiari Malformation diagnosed in utero in a pregnant lady .There was no periconceptional folic acid supplementation. As the role of the Methylene Tetra Hydro Folate Reductase gene polymorphism in neural tube defects is becoming evident, a simple opportunity as folic acid supplementation should not be missed. Folate supplementation as fortification of cereal grains will also prevent other conditions like congenital heart defects, urinary tract anomalies, orofacial defects, limb defects and pyloric stenosis.