Neural tube defects (NTDs)
Types of NTDs
How folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects
Neural Tube defects (NTDs)
 • Babies with an NTD can have a range of physical and mental disabilities. Some NTD-affected pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth.
• In the US, approximately 3,000 babies are born each year wth an NTD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2004). One hundred (100) babies were born with an NTD in Florida in 2007 (Florida Department of Health 1998-2007).
• NTDs impact many people. Families and friends of children with NTDs must cope with the physical, emotional, and financial effects of these serious birth defects.
• Children born with NTDs usually need life-long medical treatment. The lifetime medical costs for just one child with spina bifida was estimated to be over $450,000 in 2009 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010).
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Folate is needed for good health and may help reduce the risk of serious birth defects and some chronic diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers. |
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Types of Neural Tube Defects
Spina bifida (spi′ nah bif′ ida) is the most common NTD. It occurs when the spinal column (backbone) fails to close completely during early development. The nerves of the spinal column can be exposed and open to possible damage.
- Spina bifida may cause leg paralysis, bladder and bowel problems and other serious health complications.
- The severity of disability depends on the size and location of the opening on the spine. Usually, the larger defects and those higher on the spine cause more disability.
- Children born with this condition usually need surgery in the first few days of life to close the open spinal area.
- Most people with spina bifida need to use a wheelchair or leg braces throughout their life.
Anencephaly (an″ en-sef′ ah-le) is when the brain and skull of the baby do not form properly.
- Unfortunately, this birth defect is always fatal.
Encephalocele (en-sef′ ah-lo-sēl″) is an opening in the skull that allows some of the brain to be outside the skull, covered only with a thin sac or tissue.
- Encephalocele can result in a range of mental disabilities or may be fatal.
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How folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects
 • Folate is a B vitamin that is very important in the development of a baby.
• All females able to become pregnant should take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.
We don't completely understand how folic acid prevents neural tube defects.
• Some studies suggest that taking folic acid makes up for a diet poor in folate.
• Other studies suggest that it counteracts a problem with the body's ability to use and process folate (i.e., folate metabolism).
Even though we don't know exactly how it works, there is strong scientific evidence that folic acid can help prevent many neural tube defects. Emerging research shows that folic acid may help to reduce the risk of other birth defects of the heart, face, urinary tract and limbs.
Click here for more information about neural tube defects
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004) Spina Bifida and Anencephaly Before and After Folic Acid Mandate -- United States. MMWR 53:362-365
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spinabifida/data.html Accessed July 15, 2010.
Florida Department of Health, Florida Birth Defects Registry, 1998-2007. http://www.fbdr.org/2005/data/countyList.asp Accessed July 15, 2010. |
