Neural-tube defects

Neural-tube defects: Abnormalities in the development of the spinal cord and brain in a fetus, which may be prevented by intake of adequate folic acid. See spinal bifida and anencephaly

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Neural-tube defects and derangement of homocysteine metabolism. Letter. N Engl J Med 324(3):199-200, 1991.
(21.) Bower D, Stanley FJ. Dietary folate as a risk factor for neural-tube defects: Evidence from a case-control study in Western Australia.

This special blood test detects neural-tube defects in the fetus. However, elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein are frequent, occurring in about 50 out of 1,000 women tested.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein screening for neural-tube defects
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Triple-test screening for down syndrome and neural-tube defects ...

Preventing Birth Defects With Folic Acid
Folic Acid and Neural-tube Defects
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Asparagus is full of folic acid and antioxidants.

3. Czeizel AE, Dudás I. Prevention of the first occurrence of neural-tube defects by periconceptional vitamin supplementation. N Engl J Med 1992;327:1832-5.

And the proof is in the research: Moms-to-be who take prenatal vitamins before and during pregnancy may be less likely to deliver prematurely and they dramatically lower their risks of having babies with neural-tube defects, ...

See also: Pregnancy, Pregnant, Diagnosis, Miscarriage, Spina bifida