Overview
Neural tube defect is group of disorder that is caused when the primary neural tube failed to close during the 4th week of gestation. The resulted failure of this fetal development can cause problems of the spine and brain such as anencephaly, encephalocele or spina bifida. The former two usually have a poorer prognosis than spina bifida. The latter can be treated surgically depending on the severity. The condition can be diagnosed on the anomaly scan during second trimester with confirmation can be checked with serum maternal alpha-fetoprotein level. The defect can due to several factors such as folate deficiency, maternal diabetes mellitus, genetic factor and fetal anticonvulsant syndrome.
