Myelomeningocele, a congenital defect with severe form of spina bifida: a rare clinical image

Ashna Gledina, Ranjana Sharma

PAMJ. 2022; 42:281. Published 15 Aug 2022 | doi:10.11604/pamj.2022.42.281.36395

Myelomeningocele is a severe form of spina bifida in which the spinal cord and nerves develop outside of the body and are contained in a fluid-filled sac that is visible outside of the back area. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect with average incidence of 1-2 cases per 1000 population with female to male ratio of 1.2:1. These defects occur as a result to a teratogenic process that causes failed closure and abnormal differentiation of the embryonic neural tube. We report a case of 27-year-old multigravida, whose ultrasound findings showed lumbosacral myelomeningocele at 23rd weeks. At 30-weeks gestation, preterm labor due to premature amniorrhexis and placental abruption, led to the emergency caesarean-section. A female child was born with birth weight of 520 gm, required immediate oxygen and incubator support. A clinical diagnosis of myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida was made. Newborn was referred to neonatal intensive care for further management.
Corresponding author
Ashna Gledina, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Smt. Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India (ashna.james4@gmail.com)


The Pan African Medical Journal (ISSN: 1937-8688) is a subsidiary of the Pan African Medical Journal. The contents of this journal is intended exclusively for professionals in the medical, paramedical and public health and other health sectors.

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