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Neural Tube Defects -Spina Bifida, Anencephaly Birth Defects
What are neural tube defects or NTDs?
A neural tube defect is an opening in the spinal cord or brain that occurs early in the first trimester, sometimes so early that the mother to be doesn’t even know that she is pregnant at that point. Neural tube defects are one of the most common birth defects in the United States, happening to approximately one in 1,000 live births.
There are two types of neural tube defects – open and closed. Open neural tube defects are more common than closed. Open neural tube defects happen when the brain and/or spinal cord are exposed at birth through a defect in the skull or back bone.
The more common are spina bifida and anencephaly.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), spina bifida affects about 1,500 to 2,000 babies born in the United States every year. According to the Spina Bifida Association, about 80% will have normal intelligence but some will have learning disabilities. Physical complications may include hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid accumulates in the brain, enlarging the head and sometimes causes brain damage; gastrointestinal disorders, urinary and bowel dysfunction, obesity, depression, tendonitis, and tendency towards latex allergies.
What causes spina bifida birth defect? According to the Centers for Disease Control, women who are pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, should know there are risks associated with using prescription painkillers. Environmental factors, differences in the absorption of folic acid, race, being overweight, genetics, blood sugar levels, and pharmaceutical drugs including some SSRI drugs are all being studied as to potential causes spina bifida.
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What is anencephaly? Anencephaly is the absence of a large part of the brain and the skull when the upper part of the neural tube fails to close.
Anencephaly occurs in about one out of 10,000 births. However, the exact number is unknown because many pregnancies result in miscarriage. Having one infant with anencephaly increases the risk of having another child with a neural tube defect.
What causes anencephaly birth defects?
Possible causes include environmental toxins and low or no intake of folic acid. Some seizure medications like Depakote as well as maternal diabetes, cigarette smoking, and radiation exposure may cause anencephaly. Some SSRI drugs are all being studied as to potential causes anencephaly.
Women of childbearing age who are pregnant or want to get pregnant need 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day, even if not planning to get pregnant. Getting enough folic acid can reduce the chance of neural tube defects by 50 percent.
