Defects such as an incorrect or severely under developed brain and/or spinal cord resulting in spina bidfida or anencephaly. Babies with spina bidfida have muscle weakness, paralysis, or loss of sensation in the legs and may develop fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus). Babies born with anencephaly have severely underdeveloped brain and skull. (baby, his/her artery/vein, and, his/her brain, where it extends out, not fully developed, at birth)
An abnormality where the spine has not closed over the central nervous tissue. If this 'lesion' is at the head, the condition is called anencephaly and is incompatible with life. If it occurs anywhere lower down the spine it is called spina bifida and results in varying degrees of physical and mental disability. Detailed ultrasound scanning is the way in which these abnormalities are confirmed, often following a raised AFP blood test. Most NTDs are 'open' which means that there is no skin over the lesion in the spine; about 1 in 7 cases of spina bifida are 'closed' which means that although the spine has not covered the nervous tissue there is a covering of skin. These closed conditions are less likely to be detected antenatally by the AFP test.
a birth defect of the brain and spinal cord
a defect in the skull or spinal column that is caused by the neural tube failing to close in this early development stage
a malformation of the brain or spinal cord that occurs during fetal development
an abnormal fetal brain or spinal cord that is caused by folic acid deficiency during pregnancy
a very serious birth defect of the brain or spinal cord
A defect in the formation of the spine (backbone) causing the nerves of the spinal cord to be exposed to the fluid in the uterus. For more information see the Factsheet on Neural Tube Defects.
type of birth defect, such as spina bifida, that results from failure of the spinal cord or brain to develop normally in a fetus.
A fetal birth defect that results from improper development of the brain, spinal cord, or their coverings.
A defect of the spine or head caused by the incomplete closure of the neural tube in prenatal development.
Abnormal development during embryonic life of the neural tube, the structure which gives rise to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), resulting in anencephaly (absence of the cranial vault and absence of most or all of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain) and spina bifida/meningomyelocele (open spina with exposure and protusion of the spinal cord). The risk of ntds can be decreased by the mother eating ample folic acid during pregnancy.
A defect resulting from failure of the neural tube to close in the first month of pregnancy. The major conditions include anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele.
Defective development of the brain and spinal cord.
A birth defect that happens when the growing brain, spinal cord, and vertebrae (the bones of the spine) of an unborn baby don't develop properly during the first month of pregnancy.
In simple terms, a neural tube defect (NTD) is a malformation of the brain or spinal cord (neurological system) during embryonic development. Infants born with spina bifida, where the spinal cord is exposed, can grow to adulthood but usually suffer from paralysis or other disabilities. Babies born with anencephaly, where most or all of the brain is missing, usually die shortly after birth. These NTDs make up about 5 percent of all U.S. birth defects each year. According to the CDC, the use of sufficient folic acid is enough to eliminate the risk of NTDs. (see folic acid)
Any of various congenital defects of the brain and spinal cord, such as spina bifida, resulting from incomplete closing or development of the neural tube in an embryo.
Any of several congenital defects of the brain and spinal cord caused by the incomplete closing of the neural tube.
A common birth defect in which the neural tube, which gives rise to the central nervous system, develops abnormally, causing death or serious disability. Spina bifida and anencephaly are examples of neural tube defects.
Failure of part of the neural tube to close, which can result in a number of birth defects, such as spina bifida (opening in the spine) or anencephaly (failure of brain development)
birth defect related to the baby's brain or spine.
A birth defect caused by abnormal development of the neural tube, the structure which gives rise to the central nervous system. Neural tube defects include anencephaly and spina bifida.
Failure of the neural tube to fully zipper shut. When the tube fails to close in the head end, a defect known as anencephaly (lack of a cerebral cortex) results. When the tube fails to close near its lower end, the defect is known as spina bifida. These types of malformations occur in about one in every thousand pregnancies and can be quite severe. Fortunately, they are both preventable (by folic acid) and detectable (by prenatal screening).
Abnormal development of the neural tube in utero, resulting in the birth defect, spina bifida.
a serious birth defect that occurs when the neural tube does not close during pregnancy. Normally, the neural tube closes during the fourth week of pregnancy, and develops into the brain, spinal cord, and back bones. If the neural tube does not close at the top, the baby will have anencephaly (without a brain). If the neural tube does not close at the bottom, the baby will have spina bifida. Getting enough folate (400 micrograms/day) can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Folate is found in prenatal vitamins, citrus foods, leafy green vegetables, and enriched grain products.
A group of central nervous system abnormalities that occur when the embryonic neural tube does not develop normally; the brain and spinal cord may be affected.
A birth defect resulting in improper development of the brain or spinal cord.
A congenital defect of the central nervous system, including the spinal cord, skull and brain, resulting from failure of the neural tube to properly close during fetal development. Defects may include absence of the skull, and protrusions of the brain or spinal cord. Most such defects can be detected before birth by determination of amniotic fluid or blood levels of alpha-fetoprotein and by ultrasonic scanning.