Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord. They form in the first month of pregnancy — often before a woman even knows she is pregnant — which is why prevention has to start before conception.
The main types
| Defect | What happens | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Spina bifida — one of the two most common | the baby's spinal column does not close completely | usually some nerve damage, causing at least some paralysis of the legs |
| Anencephaly — the other most common | most of the brain and skull do not develop | babies are usually stillborn or die shortly after birth |
| Chiari malformation | brain tissue extends into the spinal canal | — |
Who is at higher risk
The exact causes are not known. The risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect is higher if you:
- have obesity
- have poorly controlled diabetes
- take certain antiseizure medicines
Prevention: folic acid
Getting enough folic acid — a B vitamin — before and during pregnancy prevents most neural tube defects. Because the defects arise so early, the "before" matters.
Diagnosis and treatment
- Neural tube defects are usually found before birth, through lab or imaging tests.
- There is no cure. Nerve damage and loss of function present at birth are usually permanent.
- Treatments can sometimes prevent further damage and help with complications.
Sources
Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Neural Tube Defects," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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