Neural tube
From Wikinfo
The neural tube is the embryonal structure that gives rise to the brain and spinal cord. In gestation, the human neural tube gives rise to three vesicles: the rhombencephalon, the mesencephalon and the prosencephalon.
Neural tube defects
Normally the closure of the neural tube occurs around the thirtieth day after fertilization. However, if something interferes and the tube fails to close properly, a neural tube defect will occur. Among the most common tube defects are anencephaly, encephalocele, and spina bifida. The incidence of neural tube defects is 2.6 in 1,000 worldwide.
Pregnant women taking medication for epilepsy have a higher chance of having a child with a neural tube defect. Research has shown that women with folic acid deficiences also have a higher chance of having a child with a neural tube defect.
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References
- Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Neural_tube" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neural_tube, used under the GNU Free Documentation License
