Inside a developing embryo, the central nervous system starts off as a humble little neural tube.

在发育中的胚胎中，中枢神经系统从一个不起眼的小神经管开始。

Neural tube defects include spina bifida, a defect of the spine, as well as some brain defects.

神经管缺陷包括脊柱裂，这种脊柱上的一种缺陷，以及一些大脑缺陷。

This was a worthwhile effort, it seems, as the rate of neural tube defects has halved.

这种努力看来是值得的，因为神经管缺陷率已经减少了一半。

To prevent neural tube defects, mothers need to have sufficient folate levels before the start of pregnancy.

为了预防神经管缺陷，妈妈们需要在备孕期补充足量的叶酸。

And spina bifida occurs when a portion of this neural tube fails to close properly, typically in the lower back.

当神经管的一部分不能正常闭合时，就会发生脊柱裂，一般在腰部。

A study in Botswana found dolutegravir was linked to neural tube defect in embryos.

博茨瓦纳的一项研究发现多替拉韦与胚胎神经管缺陷有关。

This neural tube goes on to become the spinal cord, the brain, as well as tissues that enclose and protect them, called the meninges.

神经管最终会形成脊髓、大脑以及包绕和保护它们的组织，即脑脊膜。

Most pre-natal vitamins include folic acid because it protects against defects in the formation of the neural tube, the precursor to the central nervous system.

大多数孕前维生素包括叶酸，因为叶酸能预防神经管形成中产生缺陷，而神经管是神经中枢的前身。

Very early on in fetal development, the ectoderm which is the outer layer of the fertilized egg starts to develop a bit of a ridge that eventually becomes the neural tube.

在胎儿发育的早期，受精卵的外层，即外胚层，开始形成脊状突起，最后形成神经管。

It seemed that due to insufficient folate, Kim Robbins was born with a hemangioma on his back which turned out to be a neural tube defect — effectively a hole in his spinal column.

似乎是由于体内缺乏足够的叶酸，金•罗宾斯生下来背部就有一个血管瘤，结果证实是神经管缺陷——实际就是说他的脊柱上有个洞。