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Abstract

Spina bifida is a serious birth defect that involves an incomplete closure of the spine, spinal cord, brain, and/or protective covering of the fetal spine. Even though the causes of spina bifida are still uncertain, diabetes, obesity, severe hyperthermia in early pregnancies, and poor nutrition are believed to be causes of neural tube defects (NTDs). Because spina bifida may go undetected by •-fetoprotein screening and amniocentesis, sonography becomes a valuable tool in its identification. Spina bifida can also affect the fetal brain, so sonography is important in detecting any abnormal fetal head signs associated with Arnold-Chiari (type II) malformation. Surgical planning is another important part of sonography’s role when detecting NTDs. Although still in experimental stages, in utero repair has proven beneficial in some cases of spina bifida after careful sonographic assessment as part of the treatment considerations.

Keywords

neural-tube defects sonography spina bifida spina bifida occulta spina bifida cystica meningocele myelomeningocele Arnold-Chiari (type II) malformation

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