What are the causes of neural tube malformation in children?

summary

Neural tube malformation in children refers to brain or spinal deformity. In the third week of the embryo, the nervous system begins to develop. About 22 days after the embryo, the two sides of the nerve fold begin to close to each other, forming a tube called the neural tube. The main manifestations of fetal neural tube defects are anencephaly, encephalocele, encephalomeningocele, spina bifida / recessive spina bifida, cleft lip and cleft palate. The incidence of infants born in autumn and winter is higher than that in spring and summer. So, what are the causes of neural tube malformation in children?

What are the causes of neural tube malformation in children?

Genetic factors are the main causes of neural tube defects in children. Gene is a polygenic genetic disease, and its pathogenesis is extremely complex. It is difficult to distinguish polygenic action from complex environmental factors. For example, some families may be related to the environment in which they live together. In this way, some characteristics are usually attributed to the effect of gene factors in the pathogenesis.

Environmental factors. In early pregnancy, environmental teratogenic factors usually act on the mother within 3 months, resulting in neural tube development disorder and malformation. The common environmental factors associated with DNT include maternal folic acid and other multivitamin deficiency in early pregnancy, zinc and other trace elements deficiency, severe pregnancy reaction, viral infection, taking certain drugs, alcohol abuse, radiation exposure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Neurological symptoms are related to the degree of involvement of spinal cord and spinal nerve. The most common neurological symptoms were lower limb paralysis, incontinence of urine and feces, etc. If the lesion is located in the lumbosacral region, slow paralysis and muscle atrophy of the lower limbs appear, and the sensation and tendon reflex disappear. The lower limbs are characterized by low temperature, cyanosis and edema, and are prone to nutritional ulcer, even gangrene.

matters needing attention

Neural tube malformation refers to the malformation of brain or spine. At the third week of the embryo, the nervous system begins to develop. At about 22 days of the embryo, both sides of the nerve fold begin to close to each other and form a tube, called the neural tube.