Neural Tube Malformations Diagnosed at Prenatal Ultrasound in Abidjan

Abstract

Objective To describe the morphological abnormalities of the neural tube discovered at ultrasound in Abidjan Patients and methods A retrospective multicenter study carried out over a year period in C ocirc te d Ivoire January to December All obstetric ultrasound reports were re read Cases of neural tube defects have been recurrent Then their types seating associated signs and socio demographic and epidemiological characteristics were described Results obstetric ultrasound scans of the first second and third trimesters were reviewed cases of fetal malformation were identified of the malformations concerned the neural tube The major morphological abnormality was lethal in cases and minor non lethal in cases The major morphological abnormalities were all anencephaly Minor morphological abnormalities included cases of myelomeningocele cases of lumbosacral spinabifida and cases of hydrocephalus Hydramnios were associated in cases Discussion The rate of malformation of the neural tube would be high in our context for reasons a nbsp nbsp nbsp The high prevalence of infectious diseases such as rubella and toxoplasmosis which have a high tropism for the neural tube b nbsp nbsp nbsp Poverty with a lack of folic acid supplementation necessary for the good development of the neural tube c nbsp nbsp nbsp A frequent association with a hydramnios cases or a sign of specificity and high sensitivity and respectively for the detection of fetal malformations in particular of the neural tube Conclusion Malformations of neural tube are not seldom and when they occur they are serious The most frequent is anencephaly They are the easiest morphological abnormalities to detect during the prenatal period because they are often associated with an hydramnios which is a sign of high sensitivity alert for antenatal diagnosis concerning fetal malformation