Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They happen in the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. In spina bifida, the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely. There is usually nerve damage that causes at least some paralysis of the legs. In anencephaly, most of the brain and skull do not develop. Babies with anencephaly are usually either stillborn or die shortly after birth. Another type of defect, Chiari malformation, causes the brain tissue to extend into the spinal canal.
The exact causes of neural tube defects aren't known. You're at greater risk of having an infant with a neural tube defect if you:
- Neural Tube Defects (National Library of Medicine)Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They happen in the first month ... that she is pregnant. The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. In spina bifida, ...
- ... before birth. The condition is a type of neural tube defect (NTD). ... acid supplements may help reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as myelomeningocele. It is recommended that any ...
- Neural Tube Defects (March of Dimes Foundation)Neural Tube Defects/Start Here ... Neural Tube Defects ... March of Dimes Foundation
- About Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)
(Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Neural Tube Defects/Start Here - How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Neural Tube Defects/Diagnosis and Tests
- How Many People Are at Risk for Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Neural Tube Defects/Statistics and Research
- What Are the Treatments for Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Neural Tube Defects/Treatments and Therapies
- Neural Tube Defects/Clinical Trials ... Neural Tube Defects
- Spina Bifida (March of Dimes Foundation)Spina Bifida/Start Here ... Spina Bifida ... March of Dimes Foundation
- ... as myelomeningocele repair) is surgery to repair birth defects of the spine and spinal membranes. Meningocele and myelomeningocele are types of spina bifida .
(Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) 