National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Neural tube defects

Neural tube defects (NTDs) refers to a group of abnormalities resulting from abnormal development of the brain, spine and/or spinal column. During the development of an affected embryo, a structure called the neural tube does not close completely as it should, resulting in a hole somewhere along the spinal column. Specific examples of types of NTDs include spina bifida, anencephaly, and encephalocele. Symptoms vary depending on the type of NTD present but often include various forms of physical and/or mental disabilities. Many affected individuals do not survive. The exact cause of NTDs is not known but is thought to involve both genetic and nongenetic factors. Getting enough folic acid before and during pregnancy can reduce the risk of some NTDs. Treatment depends on the severity and type of defect and may include surgery.[1]
Last updated: 11/6/2013

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Absence of the sacrum 0010305
Anencephaly 0002323
Asymmetry of spinal facet joints 0008482
Autosomal dominant inheritance 0000006
Hydrocephalus
Too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain
0000238
Lipoma
Fatty lump
Noncancerous fatty lump
[ more ] 		0012032
Multiple lipomas
Multiple fatty lumps
0001012
Myelomeningocele 0002475
Sacral dimple
Spinal dimple
0000960
Spina bifida occulta 0003298
Urinary incontinence
Loss of bladder control
0000020
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Last updated: 7/1/2020

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Neural tube defects. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Neural tube defects. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Neural Tube Defects (NTDs): Condition Information. NICHHD. November 30, 2012; http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/ntds/conditioninfo/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed 11/5/2013.