Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Foreword
- Preface
- Section 1 General principles
- Section 2 Fetal disease
- Chapter 6 Red cell alloimmunization
- Chapter 7 Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
- Chapter 8.1 Fetal dysrhythmias
- Chapter 8.2 Fetal dysrhythmias
- Chapter 9.1 Structural heart disease
- Chapter 9.2 Structural heart disease
- Chapter 9.3 Structural heart disease
- Chapter 10.1 Manipulation of amniotic fluid volume
- Chapter 10.2 Manipulation of amniotic fluid volume
- Chapter 11.1 Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Chapter 11.2 Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Chapter 11.3 Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Chapter 11.4 Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Chapter 11.5 Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Chapter 12.1 Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence
- Chapter 12.2 Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence
- Chapter 13.1 Fetal infections
- Chapter 13.2 Fetal infections
- Chapter 14.1 Fetal urinary tract obstruction
- Chapter 14.2 Fetal urinary tract obstruction
- Chapter 14.3 Fetal urinary tract obstruction
- Chapter 14.4 Fetal urinary tract obstruction
- 15.1 Fetal lung growth, development, and lung fluid
- Chapter 15.2 Fetal lung growth, development, and lung fluid
- Chapter 16.1 Neural tube defects
- Chapter 16.2 Neural tube defects
- Chapter 17.1 Fetal tumors
- Chapter 17.2 Fetal tumors
- Chapter 18.1 Intrauterine growth restriction
- Chapter 18.2 Intrauterine growth restriction
- Chapter 19.1 Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Chapter 19.2 Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Chapter 20.1 Fetal stem cell transplantation
- Chapter 20.2 Fetal stem cell transplantation
- Chapter 20.3 Fetal stem cell transplantation
- Chapter 21 Gene therapy
- Chapter 22 The future
- Glossary
- Index
- References
Chapter 16.1 - Neural tube defects
Pathophysiology and prevention
from Section 2 - Fetal disease
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2013
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Foreword
- Preface
- Section 1 General principles
- Section 2 Fetal disease
- Chapter 6 Red cell alloimmunization
- Chapter 7 Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
- Chapter 8.1 Fetal dysrhythmias
- Chapter 8.2 Fetal dysrhythmias
- Chapter 9.1 Structural heart disease
- Chapter 9.2 Structural heart disease
- Chapter 9.3 Structural heart disease
- Chapter 10.1 Manipulation of amniotic fluid volume
- Chapter 10.2 Manipulation of amniotic fluid volume
- Chapter 11.1 Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Chapter 11.2 Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Chapter 11.3 Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Chapter 11.4 Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Chapter 11.5 Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Chapter 12.1 Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence
- Chapter 12.2 Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence
- Chapter 13.1 Fetal infections
- Chapter 13.2 Fetal infections
- Chapter 14.1 Fetal urinary tract obstruction
- Chapter 14.2 Fetal urinary tract obstruction
- Chapter 14.3 Fetal urinary tract obstruction
- Chapter 14.4 Fetal urinary tract obstruction
- 15.1 Fetal lung growth, development, and lung fluid
- Chapter 15.2 Fetal lung growth, development, and lung fluid
- Chapter 16.1 Neural tube defects
- Chapter 16.2 Neural tube defects
- Chapter 17.1 Fetal tumors
- Chapter 17.2 Fetal tumors
- Chapter 18.1 Intrauterine growth restriction
- Chapter 18.2 Intrauterine growth restriction
- Chapter 19.1 Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Chapter 19.2 Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Chapter 20.1 Fetal stem cell transplantation
- Chapter 20.2 Fetal stem cell transplantation
- Chapter 20.3 Fetal stem cell transplantation
- Chapter 21 Gene therapy
- Chapter 22 The future
- Glossary
- Index
- References
Summary
Introduction
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common major congenital abnormalities worldwide, with birth incidence varying between 0.5 and 2 per 1000 births. The incidence is known to vary according to geography and race, with historically higher rates seen in China, Egypt, and India (greater than 8 per 1000 births). Worldwide rates however have been steadily declining. In England the rates peaked between 1954 and 1955 with a substantial decrease seen since, starting in the early 1970s. This decline predated widespread preventative strategies and is unlikely to be explained entirely by prenatal screening. Further reductions have been seen in recent years which have been attributed to the successful preventative strategy of folate supplementation. Current rates are as low as 0.6 per 1000 births in the United States and other countries that have folate food fortification strategies in place.
Open NTDs result from failure of the embryonic process of neural tube closure. This leaves brain or spinal cord neural tissue exposed to the extra-embryonic environment. The spectrum of malformations defined as NTDs include anencephaly, encephalocele, and spina bifida.
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- Fetal TherapyScientific Basis and Critical Appraisal of Clinical Benefits, pp. 301 - 310Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2012