epidemiology
Last reviewed 01/2018
Twenty years ago when neural tube defects occurred with an incidence of 40 per 10,000 live births it was the most common surgical abnormality of the newborn. The current overall incidence is now less than 3 per 10,000 live births in Britain.
A familial incidence increases the risk. If the parent, or a previous child, has had a neural tube defect, then there is a 5% risk to the next child of developing a similar problem.
Teratogens such as sodium valproate have also been implicated.