neural tube defects
Folic acid prevents these
Neural tube defects are birth abnormalities affecting the brain, spine, or spinal cord, occurring when the neural tube fails to close completely during early fetal development.
The most common types are spina bifida, where the spine doesn't close fully, and anencephaly, where major portions of the brain fail to develop.
Folic acid supplementation before and during early pregnancy significantly reduces risk.
- anencephalyCongenital absence of brain
- spina bifidaVertebral column fails to close
- brainSeat of cognition
- brain developmentMental faculties emerging over time
- malformationAbnormally developed structure
amniocentesis · teratogens · early pregnancy · birth defect · microcephaly · ultrasound imaging · genetic mutations · genetic counseling · congenital · skull · spinal column · folic acid · prenatal vitamins · shunt · spine · spinal cord · pregnancy · prenatal
neural tube defectscongenital heart defects
Heart abnormalities present at birth