Neural Tube Defects: Causes, Prevention, and Support

As a leading children’s charitable organization in Atlanta, Georgia, Save A Child International aims to help children and mothers struggling with neural tube defects.

• What are Neural Tube Defects?

  Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious birth defects affecting the baby’s brain and spine. Globally, there are around 300,000 babies born with NTDs each year.

• What Causes NTDs?

  The exact causes of NTDs remain unknown. However, some factors do play a role. This includes:

  • Genetics. Babies may inherit the condition from their parents.
  • Environmental. Some factors can be harmful to a pregnancy, such as air pollution, cigarette smoke, and lead.
• Who Is At Risk of Having a Baby with an NTD?

  Anyone can have a baby with a neural tube defect. However, some people are more prone than others. This includes:

  • Couples with a family history of NTDs

    If someone in your family has an NTD, or if you already had a baby with an NTD, it increases your risk of having a baby with an NTD. For instance, a couple with one child with an NTD has a 3% chance of having another baby with an NTD.

  • Maternal Obesity

    A study reveals that maternal obesity increases your risk of having a baby with an NTD.

  • Diabetes

    Studies show that maternal diabetes during pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects, including NTDs.

• NTD Prevention

  During pregnancy, there are certain things that you can do to avoid NTDs in your baby. For one, taking B-vitamin folic could help. It is important that you have enough folic acid in your system before and during early pregnancy before the neural tube closes.

  You can get folic acid from your prenatal vitamins, as well as some foods including leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, bread, cereals, rice, and pasta.

• How You Can Help

  Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children and families with NTDs. We strive to bring children with NTDs (and on accompanying parent) over to the U.S. to get the treatment they need.

  So, how can you help? Well, without your charitable donations in Georgia, we would not be able to finance the medical treatments and support we provide to children and families in need. We benefit from the generosity of individuals like you. You play a vital role in the success of our projects and we appreciate your contribution!