Other Names for this Disease
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The exact cause of meningoencephalocele is not known. Some studies have suggested that environmental factors could play a role in causing the condition. Exposure during pregnancy to aflatoxins, toxins produced by a mold that grows in nuts, seeds, and legumes, has been proposed to be a possible cause in some cases. However, its potential role in causing the condition is unclear. It has also been suggested that folate deficiency during pregnancy might play a role, because the condition is so closely related to spina bifida, which can be caused by folate deficiency. However, there have been no studies regarding the relationship of maternal folate deficiency and meningoencephalocele. Further studies are needed to to clarify what may cause the condition.
Last updated: 9/21/2011
- Sitthiporn Agthong and Viroj Wiwanitkit. Encephalomeningocele cases over 10 years in Thailand: a case series. BMC Neurology. 2002; 2:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC113760/?tool=pubmed. Accessed 9/19/2011.