Neural Tube Defects

A neural tube defect is a birth defect that develops in the early stages of pregnancy and involves the spine, spinal cord, or brain. About 28 days after conception, the embryo’s spinal cord begins changing from a flat segment into a tube, known as the neural tube. When this tube does not fully close, it is known as a neural tube defect.

There are several types of neural tube defects. The most common ones, spina bifida (myelomeningocele) and anencephaly, are considered open neural tube defects, because they leave the spine or brain exposed at birth. Spina bifida occurs when the spinal cord of the fetus does not fully close, which usually leads to nerve damage and some paralysis in the legs. Spina bifida occulta is a similar condition, but it does not cause nerve damage. Anencephaly occurs when areas of the brain and skull remain undeveloped, and babies with this condition often die soon after birth or may be stillborn.

When a spinal defect is covered by skin, it is called a closed neural tube defect. Examples of closed defects include a tethered cord, lipomeningocele, and lipomyelomeningocele.

Why choose UAB Medicine

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialists at the UAB Women & Infants Center are available on site 24/7 to manage problems with high-risk pregnancies. Our physicians are experts at managing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, multiple births, and premature delivery.

UAB Medicine’s MFM program is among the most advanced in the nation, and we are one of only 14 medical centers that participates in the national Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network for high-risk pregnancy research. Because UAB is a major center for research, patients may have access to new treatments that are not available elsewhere. For mothers who’ve had a preterm birth before, these treatments can reduce their chance of having another preterm birth by one-third to one-half.

UAB provides the most advanced MFM care, including first-trimester diagnosis, genetic testing and counseling, and 4D-ultrasound and fetal imaging. All of our MFM specialists are board-certified, and our team also includes certified genetics specialists.

Care Providers

Sheri Jenkins, MD Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Akila Subramaniam, MD Maternal and Fetal Medicine Alan Tita, MD, PhD Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Luisa Wetta, MD Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Janeen Arbuckle, MD, PhD Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Fran Burgan, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology

Videos

Resources

• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Folic Acid
• Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)

Related Specialties

• Maternal and Fetal Medicine