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 Are obese 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 Encyclopedia Alpha fetoprotein Array Anencephaly Specifics Anencephaly National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Cephalic Disorders National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Cephalic Disorders 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 Related Issues Are There Disorders or Conditions Associated with Neural Tube Defects? 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 Videos and Tutorials Craniofacial Procedure to Treat Encephalocele and an Arachnoid Cyst OR-Live Find an Expert Find a Neurologist American Academy of Neurology Find a Pediatrician or Pediatric Specialist American Academy of Pediatrics March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Statistics and Research Folic Acid for the Prevention of Infant Neural Tube Defects: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation American College of Physicians Folic Acid: Data and Statistics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention How Many People Are Affected By or Are at Risk for Neural Tube Defects? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Trends in Spina Bifida and Anencephalus in the United States, 1991-2006 National Center for Health Statistics Start Here Folic Acid Helps Prevent Neural Tube Defects Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Neural Tube Defects March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation What Are Neural Tube Defects? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Genetics Genetics Home Reference: anencephaly National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Meckel syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: spina bifida National Library of Medicine Diagnosis and Tests How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Neural Tube Defects? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Second Trimester Maternal Serum Screening American Association for Clinical Chemistry Prevention and Risk Factors MedlinePlus: Folic Acid National Library of Medicine Journal Articles Neural Tube Defects Treatments and Therapies What Are the Treatments for Neural Tube Defects? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Latest News Folic Acid for Moms-To-Be Not as Effective as Thought? HealthDay
