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When does spina bifida occur in pregnancy?
Spina bifida occurs during the first trimester. Spina bifida is in a class of birth defects known as neural tube defects. The neural tube eventually develops into the spinal cord, brain and the tissues that enclose them. In a normal pregnancy the tube forms early and closes by the twenty eighth day. With spina bifida portions of the neural tube fail to develop properly causing defects of varying severity in the spinal cord and back bones. This is a complicated topic and you can read more about it at the related link.
Folate deficiency during pregnancy is associated with what?
Neural tube defects.
Which week of pregnancy is the neural tube is formed?
In the 3rd week of pregnancy called gastrulation, specialized cells on the dorsal side of the fetus begin to change shape and form the neural tube.
What percentage of neural tube defects is related to the mother's intake of folate before and during pregnancy?
Before the mid-1990s, about three quarters of neural tube defects could be traced to low folate levels in the mother. Since foods (mostly cereals) and prenatal vitamins now contain folate, there has been a 75% decrease in the rate of neural tube defects in the U.S. So, nowadays, the percentage of neural tube defects related to the mother's lack of folate intake is quite small, although the exact percentage has not been studied.
What is the vaccine for birth defects?
There is no vaccine that will prevent birth defects. Spina Bifida and other neural tube defects (a specific type of birth defects) can be prevented by consuming adequate amounts of folic acid in the diet in the first trimester of pregnancy. Other types of birth defects may be prevented in other ways, so it is best to ask your doctor for advice if you are thinking about becoming pregnant.
How much folic acid for how long prevents neural tube defects in babies?
There is no guarantee that folic acid supplementation will prevent neural tube defects, though it has been proven to reduce the risk. In a woman who has no family history of neural tube defects, it is suggested that she take 0.4 mg of folic acid each day, while a woman with a family history is asked to take 4 mg of folic acid each day (10 times the amount). Ideally the women would begin taking folic acid at least 3 months before conception, and continue it through at least the end of the first trimester.
Research has shown that the risk for neural tube defects decreases by including what in your diet?
Folic acid.
The risk for neural tube defects is lowered by taking supplements what type of supplement?
FOlIC ACID
Alpha-fetoprotein in Spina Bifida?
Alpha fetoprotein is elevated when there are neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
What are most flours and grain products in the US fortified with to help prevent neural tube defects?
Folic acid.
What is encephaloceles?
Encephaloceles refers to defects in the development of a fetal structure called the neural tube. The tube fails to close completely during development of the fetus.
What is the neural tube formed by the fusion of?
In the embryo the neural tube forms the central nervous system in the fetus, which is the brain and spinal cord. The reason pregnant women are given folic acid supplementation is to help prevent neural tube defects, which can range from fairly benign all the way to anencephaly (where the baby is born without a brain).
