Neural tube defects refer to the inability of the neural tube to close properly, resulting defects of the brain and spinal cord. When the neural tube fails to close properly, this can result in two different types of defects – spina bifida and anencephaly.

1. Spina bifida
Spina bifida is a condition in which a part of the spine doesn’t close properly. The spine and spinal cord don’t develop as they normally should, and the bottom part of the body is unable to receive messages from the brain. The lower part of the body is paralyzed and the infant might have problems with walking, have dyskinesia, have problems controlling the muscles in charge in the bladder and rectum – resulting in decreased function of the organs, or have dysuria or dyschezia.

As for what type of defects the baby will have to live with, that can only be diagnosed after the exact part of the spinal cord which has not closed properly is confirmed postpartum. This is because different parts of the spinal cord are linked to different parts of the body, and this leads to different disabilities.

2. Anencephaly
Anencephaly means that the top of the neural tube that is close to the head fails to close completely. As a result, the brain doesn’t form completely, and even when the fetus continues to grow, most of the brain remains unformed. Apart from the brain, there are usually few abnormalities in the organs. Though the fetus can continue to grow, the absence of a complete brain sometimes results in a miscarriage or fetal death.