The vitamin known to help prevent neural tube defects is folic acid, also called Vitamin B9 or folate. Foods rich in folate include the following:
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Folic acid.
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.
A deficiency in nutrients, such as folic acid, can lead to neural tube defects in babies. These defects can cause serious health issues like spina bifida or anencephaly, which can affect the brain and spinal cord development. It is important for pregnant women to ensure they are getting enough nutrients to prevent these birth defects.
Neural tube defects.
The neural tube forms the spinal cord and brain. Mistakes in the formation of these structures seems to be more common in folate deficiency. Women who may become pregnant are advised to take folate to prevent these birth defects.
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).
Neural tube defects primarily occur during the first trimester of pregnancy, specifically in the early weeks shortly after conception. This critical period is when the neural tube, which eventually forms the baby's brain and spinal cord, is developing. Factors such as maternal nutrition, particularly folic acid intake, can significantly influence the risk of these defects during this time.
Folic acid is a critical nutrient for proper neural tube development, as it plays a key role in DNA synthesis and cell division. Adequate folic acid intake, especially during the early stages of pregnancy, can help prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Folic acid, also known as folate, causes neural tube defects and disorders like spinal bifida.
FOlIC ACID
Folic acid.
Alpha fetoprotein is elevated when there are neural tube defects such as spina bifida.