RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Review on myelomeningocele management and its current status in Saudi Arabia
JF Neurosciences Journal
JO Neurosciences (Riyadh)
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 5
OP 10
DO 10.17712/nsj.2019.1.20180169
VO 24
IS 1
A1 Alnaami, Ibrahim M.
A1 Alayad, Eman G.
YR 2019
UL http://nsj.org.sa/content/24/1/5.abstract
AB Major approaches have emerged in the field of myelomeningocele (MMC) management. The prevalence of MMC in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 0.44-1.46/1000 births. Nine point seven percent of pregnant Saudi women take folic acid before conception; MMC is estimated to result in 1,417,500 Saudi Riyals (SAR) in lifetime costs per patient. Abortion should be performed cautiously in Muslim countries; another option may be the intrauterine foetal surgical repair of MMC, which has better neuromotor outcomes and reduces the need for ventriculoperitoneal shunt, albeit with a higher risk of obstetric complications. Seven years after intrauterine foetal surgery emerged, there is a need to establish this service in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A multidisciplinary approach is required for MMC patients; surgical closure should be carried out within 72 hours after birth to reduce the risk of infection. Advancing MMC care allows patients to survive to adulthood, and action must be taken to improve the quality of MMC care in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.