ABSTRACT
The management of nervous system malformations requires making the proper diagnosis followed by the recognition and treatment of potential complications. The intial step, essential to providing prognostic and anticipatory family guidence, is the accurate assessment of the severity of associated problems. This should be followed by the ongoing identification of complications, their proper treatment, and=or referral. This chapter reviews two common malformations, myelomeningocele (MMC) and holoprosencephaly. Principles learned and experience gained in the management of these two complex conditions can be readily applied to other malformations of the nervous system.
