Lowering the risks of neural tube defects during pregnancy

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Neural tube defects (NTD) like spina bifida and anencephaly are one of the most common birth defects today. Affecting the brain and spinal cord of a fetus, this can occur before a woman even realizes she is pregnant.

The health of a fetus and the mother are always the top priorities during pregnancy and although maintaining good health habits statistically reduces the risk of birth defects, the possibility of birth defects cannot be completely eliminated.

When an opening in the brain or spinal cord occurs early in the embryo’s development, it is known as NTD. The cord of the embryo begins to develop and roll into a tube approximately 28 days after the baby is conceived and with normal development, the cord will close. When the neural tube does not close completely, an open NTD occurs.

According to a published report by Duke University, NTD are one of the most common birth defects in America and occur in approximately one in one-thousand live births.

One of the best ways a woman can combat this risk is by taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid before she is pregnant.

The FDA has recognized the serious nature of NTD and taken action by requiring many foods like breads, grains and cereals to be fortified with folic acid in an effort to battle this defect.

Folic acid, a synthetic form of folate and from one of the Vitamin B categories, is considered by many the most important supplement a woman can take during pregnancy.

It has become common knowledge that folic acid is essential in the development of a healthy baby.

Studies have shown that by taking folic acid in the recommended dose, usually 800 mcg to 1000 mcg, a woman can decrease her risk of a neural tube defect by up to 70%.

Depending upon family history of NTD, the dosage may vary.

Folic acid may also play a role in decreasing the risks for other serious birth defects such as cleft palate, congenital heart defects and chronic disease conditions such as heart disease, several cancers and Alzheimer’s disease.

The elimination of caffeine, alcohol and nicotine during pregnancy is of course an obvious choice by women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, but the addition of folic acid must be integrated into a daily routine immediately to help stave off neural tube defects.

GetPregnant.org