Countries and organizations united for neural tube defects prevention : at-a-glance

Neural tube defects are serious birth defects that occur along the neural tube and are a significant cause of death and lifelong disability worldwide. The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly (1).Spina bifida happens when the backbone that protects the spinal cord does not form and close as it should. It can happen anywhere along the spine if the neural tube does not close all the way. Spina bifida causes a range of lifelong disabilities (1, 2).Anencephaly is a fatal birth defect that occurs when the upper part of the neural tube does not close all the way. Infants with anencephaly are often born without part of the skull and brain and die shortly after birth (1).Publication date from document properties.201