Birth defects of any type have a major impact on the lives of affected children and their families. The National Institute for Health stated that folate-sensitive neural tube defects (NTDs) are an important, preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is a need to describe the current global burden of NTDs and identify gaps in available NTD data. Neural tube defects (NTDs), serious birth defects of the brain and spine, are a major, preventable public health burden.

According to a study conducted by Christianson et.al in 2006, it is estimated that approximately 300,000 babies are born each year with NTDs globally, resulting in approximately 88,000 deaths and 8.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). In low income countries, NTDs may account for 29% of neonatal deaths due to observable birth defects. A study by Blencowe in 2010, revealed that in low income countries, NTDs may account for 29% of neonatal deaths due to observable birth defects.

Neural tube defects are severe birth defects of the brain and spine. NTDs occur when the neural tube does not close properly. The neural tube forms the early brain and spine. These types of birth defects develop very early during pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. The two most common NTDs are spina bifida  and anencephaly.

Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth. Spina bifida can happen anywhere along the spine if the neural tube does not close all the way. When the neural tube doesn’t close all the way, the backbone that protects the spinal cord doesn’t form and close as it should. This often results in damage to the spinal cord and nerves.

Spina bifida might cause physical and intellectual disabilities that range from mild to severe. It can be diagnosed during pregnancy or after the baby is born.

On the other hand, Anencephaly is the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp that occurs during embryonic development. It is a cephalic disorder that results from a neural tube defect that occurs when the rostral (head) end of the neural tube fails to close, usually between the 23rd and 26th day following conception. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) describes the presentation of this condition as follows: "A baby born with anencephaly is usually blind, deaf, unaware of its surroundings and unable to feel pain.

Neural tube defects are preventable. CDC urges all women of reproductive age to get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day, in addition to consuming food with folate from a varied diet, to help prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). While in the Philippines, the Department of Health urges pregnant women to take their daily dose of Iron with Folic Acid (IFA) supplements for 180 days to prevent iron deficiency anemia and neural tube birth defects. Thus, don’t hesitate to ask your midwife or nurse in the Rural Health Unit or Barangay Health Center/Stations for free provision of this supplement during your prenatal visit.

PNC-ZDS Marie Claire A. Gaas

References:

• Describing the Prevalence of Neural Tube Defects Worldwide:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4827875/#pone.0151586.ref001

• Birth defects: The hidden toll of dying and disabled children

Christianson AL, Howson CP, Modell B. Global report on . White Plains (NY): March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation; 2006

World Health Organization. Global health estimates (GHE)–Cause-specific mortality. 2015.

• Review Folic acid to reduce neonatal mortality from neural tube disorders.

Blencowe H, Cousens S, Modell B, Lawn J

Int J Epidemiol. 2010 Apr; 39 Suppl 1():i110-21.

• Facts about Neural Tube Defects

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/facts-about-neural-tube-defects.html#:~:text=Neural%20tube%20defects%20are%20severe,neural%20tube%20defects%20(NTDs).

• What is Spina Bifida?

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spinabifida/facts.html#:~:text=Spina%20bifida%20is%20a%20condition,not%20close%20all%20the%20way.

• Anencephaly

Cephalic disorders – Overview, Anencephaly, Colpocephaly – neurologychannel". September 3, 2015

• Preventing Neural Tube Birth Defects: A Prevention Model and Resource Guide

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/orders/pdfs/09_202063-A_Nash_Neural%20Tube%20BD%20Guide%20FINAL508.pdf