Neural Tube Defects

Summary

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:

• Have obesity
• Have poorly controlled diabetes
• Take certain antiseizure medicines

Getting enough folic acid, a type of B vitamin, before and during pregnancy prevents most neural tube defects.

Neural tube defects are usually diagnosed before the infant is born, through lab or imaging tests. There is no cure for neural tube defects. The nerve damage and loss of function that are present at birth are usually permanent. However, a variety of treatments can sometimes prevent further damage and help with complications.

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Start Here

• About Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Neural Tube Defects March of Dimes Foundation

Encyclopedia

• Alpha fetoprotein Medical Encyclopedia

Diagnosis and Tests

• Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test National Library of Medicine
• How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Maternal Serum Screening, Second Trimester American Association for Clinical Chemistry

Patient Handouts

• Anencephaly Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Anencephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Encephaloceles National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Facts about Anencephaly Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Facts about Encephalocele Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Hydranencephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Iniencephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Genetics

• Anencephaly: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Spina bifida: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Related Issues

• Are There Disorders or Conditions Associated with Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Anencephaly National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Arnold-Chiari Malformation National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Neural Tube Defects National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Find a Genetic Counselor National Society of Genetic Counselors
• Find a Pediatrician or Pediatric Specialist American Academy of Pediatrics
• March of Dimes Foundation March of Dimes Foundation
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Folic Acid: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine

Statistics and Research

• How Many People Are at Risk for Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Journal Articles

• Neural Tube Defects

Treatments and Therapies

• What Are the Treatments for Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development