 There are also several syndromes such as Meckel syndrome, and Triploid Syndrome which are frequently accompanied by neural tube defects that are assumed to be unrelated to folate metabolism

Tests for neural tube defects include ultrasound examination and measurement of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP).Second trimester ultrasound is recommended as the primary screening tool for NTDs, and MSAFP as a secondary screening tool.This is due to increased safety, increased sensitivity and decreased false positive rate of ultrasound as compared to MSAFP.