What causes neural tube defects?
It is very clear that one of the most common causes of NTDs is insufficient folic acid in the mother’s diet, both before she became pregnant and during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Several other factors may contribute to the development of NTDs as well, including poor nutrition, certain drugs, and exposure to chemicals or radiation. In a few families, there also appears to be a genetic predisposition. What is the outlook for children with neural tube defects? Most babies with anencephaly live at most only a few hours after birth. Babies with encephalocele ordinarily don’t survive very long after birth, and if they do survive, they usually are severely mentally retarded. In contrast, with prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment, most children with spina bifida survive, and the vast majority can lead full and active lives. Overall, about 70 percent of children with spina bifida have normal intelligence, and, with physical therapy, about 70 percent eventually will be able to walk,
