As with many diseases, the exact causes of spina bifida and other neural tube disorders is unknown. In fact, 95% of babies with spina bifida and other NTDs are born to parents with no family history of these disorders.
Spina bifida may run in certain families, but the disease does not appear to be genetic.
Environmental factors may contribute to NTD, including:
- Uncontrolled diabetes in the mother.
- Certain prescription medications to control seizures.
- Fetal alcohol syndrome. Women who drink large amounts of alcohol during their pregnancy have an increased risk of having a child with physical and mental effects from alcohol exposure.
More About Risk Factors
- Presence of a neural tube defect in a previous child
- Lack of folic acid
- Certain medications for seizure control which interfere with folic acid metabolism
- Diabetes
- Teenage childbirth
- History of miscarriage
- Birth order (first borns are at higher risk)
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