What vitamins should mothers take to prevent spina bifida? What are complications of spina bifida?

Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when a baby’s neural tube and the cells that later grow into a baby’s spinal cord and brain, don’t fully close as it develops during the first month of pregnancy.

This can lead to damage to the spinal cord and nerves, which can cause physical and intellectual disabilities. The size and location of the opening in the spine determine what type of symptoms a baby or child may have, as well as how mild or severe they are.

Spina bifida is one of the most common birth defects in babies, occurring in 1,427 children each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What vitamins should mothers take to prevent spina bifida?

All people who are capable of becoming pregnant should get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Neural tube defects (like anencephaly and spina bifida) happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a person finds out they are pregnant

What are the complications of spina bifida?

Complications of spina bifida may include Traumatic birth and difficult delivery of the baby. Frequent urinary tract infections. Fluid buildup on the brain (hydrocephalus)

Complications of spina bifida may include Abnormal sensation or paralysis, which mostly occurs with closed neural tube defects and myelomeningocele. There is usually some degree of leg and core muscle weakness and loss of feeling in the groin and feet or legs.