Preventing neural tube defects in Ireland

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of serious congenital neurodevelopmental malformations, where there is incomplete closure of the neural tube during the first month after conception. In a national audit of 2009-11, the incidence was 1.04/1,000 births: 45 per cent had anencephaly, 49 per cent had spina bifida and 6 per cent had an encephalocolele (McDonnell et al, 2015). Anencephaly is incompatible with survival beyond the first week of life. In contrast, a recent comprehensive report from Temple St Hospital estimated that 500 patients in the country and their families face the lifelong consequences of coping with spina bifida.