The formation of a healthy neural tube and its further development into a healthy brain is a critical moment in the life of an embryo for a baby. By providing the best nutritional support, emotional care, and a safe and healthy environment, you can avoid developmental problems and lay the foundation for optimal brain function.
How it all begins
The neural tube is one of the most important components of embryonic development because it becomes the brain and spinal cord. The neural tube is the first step in building the central nervous system. Vertebrate embryos have a neural tube before the central nervous system develops.
After the neural tube develops, there are four stages of subdivision that occur before the final central nervous system is complete. Nervous epithelial tissue initiates divisions that occur in the forebrain, midbrain, rhombencephalon, and spinal cord. The end result is the brain, spinal cord, and spinal cord, which continue to develop during pregnancy and in the first years of life.
About neural tube development problems
Most neural tube defects occur during the first month of pregnancy, often before the pregnancy is known, and result in defects of the brain, spinal cord, or spinal cord. The most well-known developmental problems are spina bifida, encephalocele, and anencephaly.
Spina bifida occurs due to incomplete development of the spinal column, which in this case never closes completely. This causes partial or complete paralysis of the lower limbs.
Anencephaly In anencephaly, the brain and skull cannot develop completely, leading to spontaneous abortion of the embryo during pregnancy or shortly after birth.
Encephalocele In encephalocele, the upper part of the neural tube is not completely formed. The skull does not form properly to protect the brain, and part of the brain may protrude. Some babies die or are stillborn, or in cases of mild encephalocele, babies may have mental retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures, or other problems.
Brain development and behaviour
In general, brain development begins just a few weeks after conception and continues into early adulthood, with the most development occurring during the prenatal and early childhood years. The early stages of brain development influence later stages of development, and experiences in the first years of life influence how well the brain develops. The foundations of memory, decision-making and emotions are laid in these early years and continue to develop throughout childhood. Most of the brain’s structure and capabilities are formed before the age of 3.
Thinking about having a child?
The desire to give your child the best chance for optimal cognitive, social, and behavioural development can be boiled down to three key factors:
- Ensuring optimal nutrition and preventing nutrient deficiencies
- Reducing inflammation and toxic stress
- Providing a safe and supportive environment for mother and child
Macro- and micronutrients important for brain development
Folate is one of the most important nutrients for reducing the risk of neural tube defects. Folic acid should be taken before and during pregnancy and is available in supplement form. The diet includes green vegetables, beetroot, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, avocado, orange, liver and whole grains. The recommended dose is 0.5 mg of folic acid every day. People at increased risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect, such as those with a family history of neural tube defects, will be advised by their doctor to take a higher dose of folic acid.
Iodine plays a role in brain development by providing nutritional support for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the foetus’s production of T3 is entirely dependent on the mother’s T4. A severe iodine deficiency leads to mental retardation or cretinism – an extremely low IQ and impaired speech, hearing and gait. Adding iodine early in pregnancy when there is a risk of iodine deficiency will improve cognitive behaviour.
Iron. Infants may be particularly susceptible to iron deficiency due to their rapid growth and low ability to store iron. Iron is necessary for transporting oxygen throughout the body in red blood cells and is involved in central nervous system processes. Deficiency can affect behaviour, growth, and development.
Zinc deficiency at a young age is associated with impaired learning, attention, memory, and poor mood.
Protein is essential for foetal and infant growth and development. Protein is found in meat, fish, chicken, dairy products, soy proteins, and combinations of nuts, seeds, and legumes.
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), during gestation, breastfeeding, and early childhood to improve cognitive function.
