Assignment task: A 21-year-old, highly malnourished female presented at 25 weeks of gestation for her routine evaluation. The pregnancy was confirmed by urine hCG test at 2 months of amenorrhea. Till that time, the patient was unaware of her pregnancy and was not taking any antenatal supplements. An ultrasonographic evaluation revealed a single live fetus in the uterus. The fetal heart rate was 165 bpm (normal). Placenta was anterior (normal), and liquor was adequate. The fetal skull was not clearly visualized, the brain tissue appeared deformed, and the orbits were prominent. The fetal spine showed the absence of vertebral posterior elements with splaying of the lamina at all levels and exposing the spinal cord to the amniotic cavity. The young mother was counselled about the findings and she opted for termination of pregnancy. After induction, the fetus was delivered vaginally and died within minutes of delivery.
Questions:
Q1. Name the congenital condition the fetus was suffering from.
Q2. Is it possible to diagnose this condition through 'amniocentesis' (amniotic fluid analysis)? If yes, then explain how?
Q3. When do the cranial and caudal neuropores normally close in an embryo?
Q4. Define 'spina bifida'. What are the three types of spina bifida and which one is the most severe form?