CMC to organise awareness and exhibition on neural tube defects among children

The Department of Neurological Sciences and Spinal Dysraphism Clinic of Christian Medical College (CMC) will organise a public awareness and an exhibition on periconceptional folic acid supplementation and its role in prevention of neural tube defects especially among children at its campus in Vellore on October 24.

According to a press release, Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi will inaugurate the awareness event and the exhibition. The event is organised as part of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus awareness month (October). Spinal dysraphic conditions occur due to improper development and closure of the neural tube resulting in neural tube defects.

Patients, mostly children, with the defects present with lower limb weakness and if not detected and treated early, they can develop severe disabilities. It can be prevented if folic acid is taken by the woman who is planning to have a child, three months before conception or pregnancy, the release said.