Treatments
The goals of screening are to prevent as many cases of NTDs as possible. For those affected, the goals are to minimise symptoms and complications. Treatments must be tailored to the individual.
Adequate folate/folic acid intake by mothers is important in the prevention of NTDs. Folic acid can be found in dark green vegetables and some fruit and beans as well as in other foods, but a supplement to diet is recommended. Recent evidence indicates that folic acid supplementation of 0.4 mg a day reduces the incidence of NTDs, but the supplementation must be started before conception and continued for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Women who have spina bifida, or who already have a child with spina bifida, or who are otherwise considered at an increased risk of having a baby with an NTD should take 5 mg of folic acid a day.for several months before becoming pregnant. This higher dose is not recommended, however, for the general population.