Fetal spina bifida in a pregnant woman following omega gastric bypass: Case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery has been increasingly popular during the last years because of its proven efficacy on obesity and related complications. However, nutrient deficiency is common after surgery, in particular after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or omega gastric bypass (OGB), due to iatrogenic malabsorption. All vitamins and minerals could be involved, including vitamin B9 which plays an important role in the prevention of neural tube defects during pregnancy. We present a case of a spina bifida in the fetus of a pregnant woman following OGB. CASE PRESENTATION: A twenty-six years old young woman underwent OGB five years after weight loss failure post sleeve gastrectomy. Her initial body mass index (BMI) was 42.7 kg/m(2). Two years after OGB, she became pregnant. On her gynecologist’s advice, the patient discontinued daily vitamin intake before the end of the first trimester, as obstetrical follow-up had been considered appropriate. Regrettably, second trimester ultrasound showed myelomeningocele and surgical abortion was decided during the 25(th) week of pregnancy. DISCUSSION: Nutritional status in a pregnant woman is crucial, since it determines the fetal outcome. Biochemical and ultrasound monitoring should be performed regularly, especially in pregnant women with a history of bariatric surgery. CONCLUSION: Vitamins, minerals and trace metals deficiencies after bypass bariatric surgery could be prevented by adequate supplementation administered before and during pregnancy.