Neural tube defects (NTD) are a heterogeneous group of malformations resulting from failure of normal neural tube closure before the fourth and fifth week of embryologic development. The three most common forms of NTD are: anencephaly, encephalocele and spinal dysraphism. Less common forms of neural tube defects include iniencephaly, amniotic bands and other types of spinal abnormalities inclu...

TIn the US, one in 1000 births is affected by neural tube [4] defects (NTD). A neural tube [4] defect is a birth defect involving the malformation of body features associated with the brain and spinal cord. An NTD originates from and is characterized by incomplete closure of the neural tube [4], which is an organizer [5] and precursor of the central nervous system [6]. In humans [7], incomplete...

TIn the US, one in 1000 births is affected by neural tube [4] defects (NTD). A neural tube [4] defect is a birth defect involving the malformation of body features associated with the brain and spinal cord. An NTD originates from and is characterized by incomplete closure of the neural tube [4], which is an organizer [5] and precursor of the central nervous system [6]. In humans [7], incomplete...

The necropsy reports of 174 cases of anencephaly, born in the Fylde peninsula of Lancashire between 1957 and 1980, have been analysed for the presence of other malformations. The results were compared with a similar previous series from Bristol, though the Bristol study differed both in time (1948 to 1975) and in the fact that it was hospital based and, unlike the present study, did not achieve...