Myelomeningocele

Background and aim: Spinal Meningoceles are a very common affliction in our country, and unfortunately most of the infections end in permanent disability and deformity, and a large portion of these children are lost due to meningitis resulting from these affliction, and here we ask the question?? Why are these afflictions common in our country while it has become rare in developed countries? The percentage of spinal Meningoceles that visit the Children's Hospital and other health centers is still very common, so we must know what are the causes and factors that predispose to its occurrence, in order to reduce the rate of its occurrence and know the extent of its relationship to pregnancy, pregnancy conditions, kinship between parents, and folic acid intake in pregnant women. Research materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on (120) cases during the year 2023-2024 in the Surgical Department in cooperation with the Neonatal Department at the University Children's Hospital, and surgical intervention was performed on them at the neonatal age, from all Syrian governorates. Results: The study showed that this disease is common in our country, with females being the most affected, and the southern region being the most affected geographical area. More than half of the cases were not diagnosed during pregnancy, and the first pregnancy was the most likely to have a frequent occurrence of hydrocele. There was no direct kinship in more than half of the cases, and most of the cases were accompanied by paralysis of the lower limbs. Surgical intervention was performed during the first month of birth, and meningitis was the most common complication (33.3%), with a mortality rate of (22.5%). Conclusion: It is necessary for pregnant women to take folic acid at a dose of 4-5 mg per day at least one month before pregnancy, and it is necessary for pregnant women to have regular checkups, especially those with risk factors and family history, take anticonvulsant medications, and perform early surgical intervention to repair the hydrocele to prevent the development of meningitis and death.