Maldivians born with malformations in the base of the skull and cerebellum very common: ADK Research

A research completed by a team of neurosurgeons at ADK Hospital on patients has revealed people born with malformation or structural defects in the base of the skull and cerebellum are common in Maldives.

Even though normally the cerebellum and parts of the brain stem sit above an opening in the skull, with this malformation the part of the cerebellum extends below opening and affects balance controls, according to findings of ADK. Common implications of this malformation include difficulty in walking, vomiting, dizziness and muscle weakness of numbness among other effects.

Speaking to Public Service Media (PSM), head of the research and Senior Consultant in Neurosurgery at ADK Dr. Ali Niyaf explained while 4.5 percent of all outpatients are found to have this malformation, it is more common amongst women aged 20-30. He further stressed the need for a community-based research that includes a sample representative of the entire Maldives, as this could be a public health risk in the Maldives. He stress on the identifying reasons for this common malformation in patients in the Maldives, unlike in other parts of the work.

Ali Niyaf also extended the support of ADK towards Ministry of Health in conducting such a research. He also stressed on the importance of research in health sector and service development. He explained strokes and cancer patients are gradually increasing and if cancers and strokes and their causes can be detected early, treatment would be easier.

ADK hospital anticipates further research in health with the new findings ADK published at the Brine and Spine Conference of 2019.