Question 1

what is the best neural tube defect test?

Accepted Answer

NTD: The "best" test is an amniotic fluid AFP concentration. That picks up about 90% of open neural tube defects. However, an ultrasound examination also picks up the majority of open neural tube defects.

Question 2

what are the tests for neural tube defect?

Accepted Answer

Neural tube defects: The primary test is the maternal serum fetal protein. If that is abnormal, an ultrasound examination and perhaps an amniocentesis.

Question 3

what is the definition or description of: neural tube defect?

Accepted Answer

Neural tube defect: Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They happen in the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. The  most common neural tube defects are spina bifida, anencephaly, and encephalocele.

Question 4

i tested for a positive neural tube defect should i be worried??

Accepted Answer

: The initial blood test for a neural tube defect in pregnancy is not diagnostic. The next step is to ask your OB gyn to schedule a diagnostic ultrasound. If there is any question about the results or if they are inconclusive, an amniocentesis can verify if the baby has a neural tube deficit.

Question 5

what is the chance of having another child with a neural tube defect?

Accepted Answer

8x greater risk: It has been shown that having a child with a neural tube defect increases the chance of having a second child with a similar defect.  The recurrence risk in this situation is 8 times greater than the risk if no such history was present.  Also if there is any family history of neural tube defects there is an increased risk of an affected pregnancy even if not immediate relative (2cd or 3d degree).

Question 6

i have a high positive for increased open neural tube defect, now what?

Accepted Answer

Additional screening: A positive initial screening test should be followed by a more involved and dependable test looking for this possibility.A diagnostic high resolution ultrasound can be performed that can evaluate baby from top to bottom and see if there is any direct evidence of a problem. Discussion of these findings with a geneticist or perinatologist may then be needed if the problem is not excluded by the test.

Question 7

which is the chance of having more then one child with a neural tube defect?

Accepted Answer

NT defect: This depends on the cause of the defect, but overall, your risk for a second child with a neural defect increases after you have a child with a defect. Your OB will likely suggest taking a higher dose of folic acid when you are thinking of conceiving.

Question 8

what kind of likelihood is there of having more then one child with a neural tube defect?

Accepted Answer

It varies: If parents have had one child with a neural tube defect their risk of having another child with a  defect is about 3 %. If they have had two children with the defect their risk increases to about 7 %. A parent who has a neural tube defect also has about a 3 % risk of having a child with a neural tube defect. All of these risks can be lowered significantly by maternal Folic Acid ingestion.

Question 9

are neural tube defect babies active?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: It depends on multiple factors.  There are different degrees of neural tube defects.  Some people can have a mild defect and other may have a severe defect.  It also depends on the location of the defect.  Your doctor might be able to better answer this question with all of the relevant information.

Question 10

is it a neural tube defect if your sacral dimple is bottomless?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If the dimple is deep and not skin covered at the deepest level than spina bidida or other defects may be present. Imaging studies such as ultrasound or spine films may be required.

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What is the best neural tube defect test?

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What are the tests for neural tube defect?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: neural tube defect?

A member asked:

I tested for a positive neural tube defect should i be worried??

A member asked:

What is the chance of having another child with a neural tube defect?

A member asked:

I have a high positive for increased open neural tube defect, now what?

A member asked:

Which is the chance of having more then one child with a neural tube defect?

A member asked:

What kind of likelihood is there of having more then one child with a neural tube defect?

A member asked:

Are neural tube defect babies active?

A member asked:

Is it a neural tube defect if your sacral dimple is bottomless?

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