title: Towards the prevention of neural tube defects.
abstract: The value of maternal periconceptional vitamin supplementation in preventing the conception of fetuses with neural tube defects has yet to be assessed in a properly designed study. Avoidance of the birth of affected infants continues to rest on second-trimester maternal serum alphafetoprotein screening. The performance of screening programmes in achieving this objective is reviewed.
authors: Human Genetics Unit, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, UK.
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Brock
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000639:trends; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins