Spina Bifida

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Abstract

Spina bifida is a birth defect that results from an abnormality in formation of the neural tube, the structure in the embryo that develops into the brain and spinal cord. In “open spina bifida” failure to completely close the neural tube leaves nervous tissue exposed and subject to damage. This causes loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the lesion in the spinal cord, with consequent disability in affected children.

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Change History: January 2016. N.D.E. Greene updated the text in Sections “Causes of Spina Bifida and Other NTDs” and “Prevention of NTDs by Folic Acid and Other Vitamins,” updated the “Further Reading” section and “Relevant Websites” section, and added the Abstract and Keywords.

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