Biomaterial Database

[Abnormalities of the neural tube in twins]. 1985

H Journel, and M Roussey, and A Dabadie, and B Le Marec

We have studied neural tube malformations in twins in order to research into the role of genetic and environmental factors. 12 pairs of twins in which one child had a neural tube defect were studied in Brittany, which is a Celtic country. We found no evidential agreement about the role each factor played. On the other hand there was an excess of twins in the siblings of those with neural tube defects, especially in the siblings of the mothers. There were more dizygotic twin mothers. Analysing the literature has made it possible for us to find a level of agreement of 7.5% for monozygotic twins and 4.6% for dizygotic twins. This last figure corresponds to the recurrence rate found after one case. The aetiological theories are reviewed. Among factors bringing about neural tube defects would seem to be the microenvironment of the uterus and the delay between ovulation and fertilization and implantation of the fertilized egg. Nutrition of the embryo and possible vitamin deficiencies could explain this inter-action between the mother and the fetus. If there is a genetic factor, it is more likely to be maternal than fetal.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009436	Neural Tube Defects	Congenital malformations of the central nervous system and adjacent structures related to defective neural tube closure during the first trimester of pregnancy generally occurring between days 18-29 of gestation. Ectodermal and mesodermal malformations (mainly involving the skull and vertebrae) may occur as a result of defects of neural tube closure. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch55, pp31-41)	Craniorachischisis,Developmental Defects, Neural Tube,Diastematomyelia,Exencephaly,Neurenteric Cyst,Spinal Cord Myelodysplasia,Tethered Cord Syndrome,Acrania,Developmental Neural Tube Defects,Iniencephaly,Neural Tube Developmental Defects,Neuroenteric Cyst,Occult Spinal Dysraphism,Occult Spinal Dysraphism Sequence,Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome,Acranias,Craniorachischises,Cyst, Neurenteric,Cyst, Neuroenteric,Cysts, Neurenteric,Cysts, Neuroenteric,Defect, Neural Tube,Defects, Neural Tube,Diastematomyelias,Dysraphism, Occult Spinal,Dysraphisms, Occult Spinal,Exencephalies,Iniencephalies,Myelodysplasia, Spinal Cord,Myelodysplasias, Spinal Cord,Neural Tube Defect,Neurenteric Cysts,Neuroenteric Cysts,Occult Spinal Dysraphisms,Spinal Cord Myelodysplasias,Spinal Dysraphism, Occult,Spinal Dysraphisms, Occult,Tethered Cord Syndromes
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011297	Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects	The consequences of exposing the FETUS in utero to certain factors, such as NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA; PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS; DRUGS; RADIATION; and other physical or chemical factors. These consequences are observed later in the offspring after BIRTH.	Delayed Effects, Prenatal Exposure,Late Effects, Prenatal Exposure
D004200	Diseases in Twins	Disorders affecting TWINS, one or both, at any age.	Diseases in Twin,Twin, Diseases in,Twins, Diseases in,in Twin, Diseases,in Twins, Diseases
D005006	Ethnicity	A group of people with a common cultural heritage that sets them apart from others in a variety of social relationships.	Ethnic Groups,Nationality,Ethnic Group,Nationalities
D005260	Female		Females
D005602	France	A country in western Europe bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, the Mediterranean Sea, and the countries of Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the principalities of Andorra and Monaco, and by the duchy of Luxembourg. Its capital is Paris.	Corsica,Saint Pierre and Miquelon,Miquelon and Saint Pierre,Miquelon and St. Pierre,St. Pierre and Miquelon
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000757	Anencephaly	A malformation of the nervous system caused by failure of the anterior neuropore to close. Infants are born with intact spinal cords, cerebellums, and brainstems, but lack formation of neural structures above this level. The skull is only partially formed but the eyes are usually normal. This condition may be associated with folate deficiency. Affected infants are only capable of primitive (brain stem) reflexes and usually do not survive for more than two weeks. (From Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, p247)	Aprosencephaly,Absence of Brain, Congenital,Anencephalia,Anencephalus,Congenital Absence of Brain,Hemicranial Anencephaly,Incomplete Anencephaly,Partial Anencephaly,Anencephalias,Anencephalies, Partial,Anencephaly, Hemicranial,Anencephaly, Incomplete,Anencephaly, Partial,Aprosencephalies,Brain Congenital Absence,Partial Anencephalies