Prenatal Diagnosis and Selective Abortion for Anencephaly and Spina Bifida

Estimation of amniotic fluid alpha fetoprotein levels and ultrasonic echography of the fetus can be exploited to diagnose neural tube defects in the 14 to 16-week-old fetus. When incorporated into a fetal screening programme for couples “at risk” of an infant with neural tube defect, it is possible to provide parents with an option for abortion of a malformed fetus and thus prevent births of infants with anencephaly or spina bifida.