Causes & Risk Factors Of Spina Bifida

Certain Medications

Any time a woman is pregnant, the pills she takes can end up affecting her unborn child. One of the many ways medications can harm a developing fetus is by causing spina bifida to occur. The most common class of drugs to cause spina bifida are anti-seizure medications, but some other types of drugs can also cause issues. Medications that cause spina bifida seem to be problematic because they alter the body's ability to absorb certain nutrients. Without the ability to absorb folic acid, a pregnant mother will be deficient regardless of how much she eats. This lack of folate can then keep the baby's neural tube from developing properly, so spina bifida ends up occurring. Because certain medications can increase the chances of a child ending up with spina bifida, it is essential to speak to your doctor before taking any while pregnant.

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