MGS 1213

HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 2

TOPIC: NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS
NO NAME MATRIC NO HANDPHONE NO
1 NUR QASEH HIDAYAH BT UMPI 4191006731 017-8553653
2 SITI SARAH NABILAH BT ABD HAMID 4191006741 017-2351505
3 NUR ATHIRA BT AHMAD AZMAN 4191006751 017-4482953
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

 What are NTD’s?

 Describe the causes of NTD’s and risk factor of having NTD’s baby.
 How to prevent NTD’s.
 Lab diagnostic test.
 WHAT ARE NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS?

 Birth defects that occur at brain, spine or spinal cord.

 Happen in the first month of pregnancy or before a woman even knows that she is pregnant.
 Most common of neural tube defects:
 Spina bifida: The fetal spinal column does not close completely. There is usually nerve damage that
causes at least some paralysis of the legs.
 Anencephaly: Most of the brain and skull do not develop. Babies with anencephaly are usually either
stillborn or die shortly after birth.
 Chiari malformation: Causes the brain tissue to extend into the spinal canal.
 Anencephaly

Spina Bifida

Chiari malformation
 What causes of NTD’s?

 The exact causes of neural tube defects aren't known.

 According to the study, it may be caused by genetics and environment.
• Genetics: Can be passed from parents to children through genes.
• Environment: Lifestyle, drugs, cigarette smoke, air pollution and lead.
 Risk factors of having a baby with an NTD’s

 Had a pregnancy with an NTD in the past.

 If husband or wife has an NTD or someone in families has an NTD.
 If partner has a child with an NTD.
 Have obesity
 Have poorly controlled diabetes
 Take certain antiseizure medicines
 Use opioids in the first 2 months of pregnancy
 Have a high body temperature early in pregnancy
How to find out if baby has an NTD before
birth?
 Maternal blood screening
-Measures 4 substances in blood
-Duration of test : 15-22 weeks of pregnancy
 Ultrasound
-Use sound waves and computer screen (picture of baby inside womb)
-Duration of test :16-20 weeks of pregnancy

*if screening test shows an increase risk, diagnostic test will be recommended
 Amniocentesis
-Some amniotic fluids will be taken from baby inside the womb, to check for birth defect
-Duration of test : 15-20 weeks of pregnancy
 Prevention of an NTDS

 Take 4,000 mcg of folic acid each day to help prevent an NTD. Start taking 4,000 mcg 3
months before get pregnant through 12 weeks of pregnancy.
 Can we get acid folic from food?
o Yes. Please check the product label. Look at the word “FORTIFIED or ENRICHED”.
Example of food are:
 Bread, breakfast cereal, cornmeal, flour, pasta, white rice.
 Beans, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, peanuts, citrus fruits, orange juice.
 Key points

 Neural tube defects (NTD’s) are birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. NTD’s can
cause serious problems for babies.
 To help prevent NTD’s take a vitamin supplement that has 400 micrograms of folic acid
in it every day.
 You’re at high risk for NTD’s if you had a baby with an NTD or you, your partner or your
family members have an NTD.
THANK YOU !!