Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
  • The brain and spinal cord of a growing fetus develop from a simple structure called the neural tube.
  • If the neural tube doesn’t fuse together, the baby will have a neural tube defect.
  • Types of neural tube defects include spina bifida, anencephaly and encephalocele.
  • Taking the right amount of folate before and during early pregnancy can prevent 7 out of 10 cases of neural tube defects.

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Reviewed on: 31-05-2011