Pediatric neurologists in North Texas

We understand the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment for fetal central nervous system conditions.

The spinal cord transmits the brain's nerve signals and coordinates many of the body’s reflexes. At Fetal Care Center, we test for and treat any fetal abnormalities that could affect this critical neurological relationship.

Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) conditions we treat

Conditions of the fetal CNS are among the most frequently diagnosed congenital abnormalities. These conditions include:

  • Agenesis of the corpus callosum
  • Anencephaly
  • Arachnoid cyst
  • Cerebral calcifications
  • Craniosynostosis
  • Dandy-walker malformation and variants
  • Encephalocele
  • Exencephaly and acrania
  • Fetal spina bifida
  • Holoprosencephaly
  • Hydranencephaly
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Intracranial hemorrhage
  • Macrocephaly
  • Microcephaly
  • Porencephaly
  • Vein of galen aneurysm

Children's neurology services

The brain and spinal cord are crucial for movement and function, so we work to ensure that your baby has nothing impeding them.

Causes of fetal CNS conditions

Several factors can cause abnormalities in the fetal CNS. In some instances, they may be caused by genetic factors, although the specific connection between genetics and CNS conditions is unclear. Environmental factors may also play a role.

About neural tube defects

In a fetus, the CNS starts growing as a simple structure known as the neural groove, which then forms a neural tube that becomes the brain and spinal cord. Typically, the neural tube will close and fuse by the 28th day after conception. When that doesn’t happen, it results in a CNS abnormality known as a neural tube defect (NTD). It can result in various fetal CNS conditions, with two of the most common conditions being spina bifida and microcephaly.

While in some instances, the cause of an NTD is unknown, among the factors that usually contribute them include:

  • Folic acid deficit — Folic acid is important for producing red blood cells, helping the baby’s neural tube develop into a brain and spinal cord. Since birth abnormalities typically occur within the first three or four weeks of pregnancy, it’s important for expecting mothers to have folate in their system before getting pregnant, particularly during the early stages.
  • Obesity — In addition to experiencing other pregnancy complications, women who are obese when they become pregnant have an increased risk of having a baby with fetal CNS disorders.
  • Medication usage — Women taking medication to control seizures, such as drugs for epilepsy, have a higher rate of births to babies with CNS abnormalities.
  • Poorly controlled diabetes — Mothers with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, who have abnormally high glucose levels at the early stages of pregnancy, are at greater risk for having babies with NTDs.

Diagnosing fetal CNS conditions

Thanks to advances in imaging, our care providers are able to thoroughly examine the fetal CNS during a prenatal sonogram, which is usually performed when the fetus is between 19 and 22 weeks old. However, severe congenital abnormalities, such as anencephaly and holoprosencephaly, can be diagnosed as early as 11 to 13 weeks.

The sonogram allows for identification of neurological abnormalities, which then lets our providers classify the conditions based on the ultrasound results. After identifying abnormalities and determining the severity of the condition, we'll provide a diagnosis and develop a plan for treatment. The earlier something can be detected, the more time we have to plan for the pregnancy's outcome, as well as postnatal management.

These types of neurological conditions are typically diagnosed during pregnancy through imaging or blood tests. If undergoing a triple screen blood test, which detects elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), this will happen in the second trimester. The test also screens for estriol and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Amniotic fluid may also be tested for high AFP levels, as well as chromosomal abnormalities.

When a baby has been diagnosed with, or is suspected to have, a neurological condition, they will be tested shortly after birth to determine the severity and whether any further complications are present. Some of the tests performed may include:

  • Assessments of strength, motor skills and sensory functioning
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
  • Measurement of the infant’s head circumference
  • X-ray