spina bifida causes What are the causes of spina bifida?

What are the causes of spina bifida?
Although scientists are not sure why neural tubes do not develop or close properly in some children, they think that the explanation behind spina bifida can be genetic, nutritional or environmental - or a combination of these causes.

There do not seem to be any defined risk factors that increase the likelihood of having a baby with spina bifida. For example, a family history of neural tube defects (NTDs) clearly plays a role. The types of spina bifida are significantly higher in couples in which at least one was born with a neural tube defect or has a close relative with one. In addition, a previous pregnancy with a baby with a neural tube defect increases the risk of having another pregnancy for about 20 times, that risk increases even more if two previous children were born with a neural tube defect. Even so, 95 percent of babies born with spina bifida have no family history of it.

Here are some of the other risk factors that increase the likelihood of spina bifida:

    Diabetes in the mother: especially when blood sugar levels are high at the beginning of pregnancy. Good control of blood sugar and diabetes can reduce the risk.
    Medically diagnosed obesity in the mother: women who are obese before becoming pregnant have a higher risk of having a baby with spina bifida than women of normal weight. The link between obesity before pregnancy and congenital neural tube defects is not clear, but one theory is that poor eating habits and inadequate nutrition can contribute. Another theory is that obese women often have diabetes - a known risk factor for spina bifida and other neural tube defects.
    A history of seizures in the mother and the use of certain anticonvulsants: medications, such as valproic acid and carbamazepine can lay the foundations of neural tube defects, because they block the body's ability to process folic acid.
    High body temperature during early pregnancy: high core body temperature by up to three or four degrees (for example, prolonged fevers or use of the sauna and hot tub) very early in pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of spina bifida.
    The intake of folic acid in the mother's inadequate diet: folic acid (vitamin B-9) in the mother's diet is essential for the development of a healthy fetus. The lack of folic acid increases the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. That's why vitamin supplements to pregnant mothers usually contain folic acid. To help decrease the likelihood of spina bifida and other neural tube defects, the FDA ordered that all fortified cereal products be fortified with folic acid. (For more information on folic acid, see Can spina bifida be avoided?)
    Low socioeconomic level: once again, poor nutrition may be the key issue.


Means:

Spina Bifida Associaton
Who is at risk for Spina Bifida?

Mayo Clinic
Spina Bifida Causes
Spina Bifida Risk Factors