Present status of the prevention of neural tube defects

[摘要] During the past two decades, a number of dramatic changes have taken place in the treatment of infants born with myelomenmgocele. Since the development in the 1950's and early 1960's of more effective methods for treating hydrocephalus, urinary incontinence, and paraplegia, aggressive treatment regimes have been initiated. Numerous articles and editorials have questioned these various treatment modalities based on the lack of objective long-term studies documenting their effectiveness. More recently, dissatisfaction with the results of current surgical prodecures for children with myelomeningocele has led to the development of selective criteria for early treatment.1,2The purpose of this commentary, however, is not to discuss the merits of selective treatment for myelomeningocele but rather to discuss some of the recent developments for the prevention of this disorder.

[学科分类] 儿科学