Introduction: Meningomyelocele is the most severe dysraphism of the vertebral column and
is described as bulging of the meninges and spinal cord from an osteal defect in the vertebral
column. Several risk factors, such as drugs, low socio-economic status, hyperthermia, genetic
factors, and dietary factors, including deficiency of zinc and folic acid, are considered to be
effective on the development of neural tube defects (NTD). Case report: This case is an infant boy, born via vaginal delivery and with gestational age of
39 weeks. In general examination, there was a significant 16-cm defect in lumbosacral region.
The normocephalic infant had dropsical eyes with a broad nasal bridge. He had a right club
foot, and examination of other organs did not reveal any abnormal conditions. Mother was 30
years old, gravida 3, with uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery, and with no history of drug
usage. Previous children were healthy and parents were not related. The important issue was
lack of folic acid and vitamin intake by the mother during the previous pregnancy. The infant
underwent meningomyelocele resection after 48 hours and was discharged after 4 days with
partial recovery. Results: Findings of this report indicate the importance of having a maternal diet with folic
acid for prevention of neural tube defects such as meningomyelocele. Among the risk factors
of NTD, much more emphasis is usually placed on factors like mother’s age, relative
marriages, medical history, and medication usage during pregnancy, while the easily
preventable nutritional deficiency of folic acid is often neglected. Therefore, giving advice
and education to mothers with or without a history of giving birth to a child with a neural tube
defect can largely reduce the incidence of these complications.
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