A Study on Congenital Anomalies of Central Nervous System

Abstract

Background: CNS malformations are one of the most common among congenital malformations rating to 5-10% of total malformations. Therefore, the present study was performed to evaluate the congenital anomalies in the central nervous system. Materials and Methods:Patients of paediatric age group (1-12) years suspect to have congenital anomalies of CNS were followed up. Data on imaging studies were collected and tabulated. Antenatally diagnosed cases of CNS anomalies were followed up. Examination for associated anomalies of head, eyes, ears, nose, face, palate, thorax, abdomen and genitalia, back, upper limb, lower limb and additional points if any was also recorded. The Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan and other relevant investigations if any was also performed.Results: In the present study 30 cases of congenital malformations were identified. Out of 30 cases 14 of them were neural tube defects, 13 microcephaly, 2 Dandy Walker alformations and one holoprosencephaly. Out of 14 neural tube defects 9 of them are lumbar myelomeningocoele, two encephalocoeles in the occipital area, one cephalocoele in the parietal area and one cephalocoele in the frontoethmoidal region and one anencephaly. Maximum number of cases of CNS anomaly were of neural tube defects 14/30 (47%). Microcephaly was found to be 13/30 (43.3%). Neural tube defects were found to be more in primigravida and microcephaly in multigravida.Conclusion: Recognition of aetiological factors permits implementation of preventive measures in the society to decrease the incidence of this dreadful condition. In all cases of microcephaly, associated anomalies of eyes or ears or facial dysmorphism were noticed.