Management of infants with neural tube defects (NTDs) in NICU

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of congenital malformations of the central nervous system, which derive from an altered embryological development during neurulation. The different types of NTDs are closely related to their onset in the embryonic period; precocity is an index of greater severity of clinical manifestation. The myelomeningocele is one of the most common pathological conditions which is included into the spectrum of NTDs. It is characterized by the lack of fusion of the vertebral arches, resulting in eversion of the meninges and medullary content; it is the condition which clearly needs more assistance in the neonatal intensive care unit. The management of patients with …