title: Embryogenesis of triple neural tube defects: sonic hedgehog--a key?
abstract: Neural tube closure is a complex spatio-temporal process. Multiple neural tube defects (NTDs) in a single patient are extremely rare. Only a few cases of multiple NTDs have been reported in the world literature, including less than 20 cases of double NTDs and 3 cases of triple NTDs. We report a fourth case of triple NTDs and review the literature regarding the embryogenesis. An effort is made to understand the theories of neural tube closure in light of recent advances in molecular biology and identification of the signaling pathways involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India.
authors.forename: Santosh Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mahalik
authors.forename: Dhananjay
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vaze
authors.forename: Toijam Soni
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Lyngdoh
authors.forename: Manoj Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Tewari
authors.forename: Kannan Laksmi
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Narasimhan
mesh_terms: D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000235:genetics; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D054259:Neural Tube / Q000196:embryology; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*; D054261:Neurulation / Q000235:genetics; D035583:Rare Diseases; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D053823:Hedgehog Proteins