title: Arnold Chiari malformation with spina bifida: a lost opportunity of folic Acid supplementation.
abstract: In Arnold Chiari (kee-AHR-ee) II malformation elongated cerebellar tonsils are displaced inferiorly through the Foramen Magnum into the upper cervical spinal canal. It is a complex anomaly with skull, dura, brain, spine and cord manifestations. Meningomyelocele is seen in all cases. We present a case of type II Arnold Chiari Malformation diagnosed in utero in a pregnant lady .There was no periconceptional folic acid supplementation. As the role of the Methylene Tetra Hydro Folate Reductase gene polymorphism in neural tube defects is becoming evident, a simple opportunity as folic acid supplementation should not be missed. Folate supplementation as fortification of cereal grains will also prevent other conditions like congenital heart defects, urinary tract anomalies, orofacial defects, limb defects and pyloric stenosis.
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Gynaecology, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital , Chennai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors: Deepa
authors: D
authors: Ganesh
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital , Chennai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors: Benjamin M
authors: BM
authors: Sagayaraj
authors: Professor, Department of Gynaecology, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital , Chennai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors: Ravi Kumar
authors: RK
authors: Barua
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Gynaecology, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital , Chennai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors: Nidhi
authors: N
authors: Sharma
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital , Chennai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors: Upasana
authors: U
authors: Ranga
keywords: Arnold chiari; Folic acid; Periconception; Pregnancy
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