Spina Bifida and Anencephaly (cont.)
Can spina bifida be prevented?
Folic acid, also called folate, is an important
vitamin in the development of a healthy fetus. Although taking this vitamin
cannot guarantee having a healthy baby, it can help. Recent studies have shown
that by adding folic acid to their diets, women of childbearing age
significantly reduce the risk of having a child with a neural tube defect, such
as spina bifida. Therefore, it is recommended that all women of childbearing age
consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Foods high in folic acid include
dark green vegetables, egg yolks, and some fruits. Many foods—such as some
breakfast cereals, enriched breads, flours, pastas, rice, and other grain
products—are now fortified with folic acid. A lot of
multivitamins contain the
recommended dosage of folic acid as well.
Women who have a child with spina bifida, have spina bifida themselves, or
have already had a pregnancy affected by any neural tube defect are at greater
risk of having a child with spina bifida or another neural tube defect. These
women may require more folic acid before they become pregnant.
What is the prognosis for spina bifida?
Children with spina bifida can lead relatively active
lives. Prognosis depends on the number and severity of abnormalities and
associated complications. Most children with the disorder have normal
intelligence and can walk, usually with assistive devices. If learning problems
develop, early educational intervention is helpful.
What research is being done on spina bifida?
Within the Federal Government, the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a component of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH), supports and conducts research on brain and nervous
system disorders, including spina bifida. NINDS conducts research in its
laboratories at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, and supports research through
grants to major medical institutions across the country.
In one study supported by NINDS, scientists are looking at the hereditary
basis of neural tube defects. The goal of this research is to find the genetic
factors that make some children more susceptible to neural tube defects than
others. Lessons learned from this research will fill in gaps of knowledge about
the causes of neural tube defects and may lead to ways to prevent these
disorders. These researchers are also studying gene expression during the
process of neural tube closure, which will provide information on the human
nervous system during development.
In addition, NINDS-supported scientists are working to identify,
characterize, and evaluate genes for neural tube defects. The goal is to
understand the genetics of neural tube closure, and to develop information that
will translate into improved clinical care, treatment, and genetic counseling.
Other scientists are studying genetic risk factors for spina bifida,
especially those that diminish or lessen the function of folic acid in the
mother during pregnancy, possibly leading to spina bifida in the fetus. This
study will shed light on how folic acid prevents spina bifida and may lead to
improved forms of folate supplements.
NINDS also supports and conducts a wide range of basic research studies to
understand how the brain and nervous system develop. These studies contribute to
a greater understanding of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, and offer
hope for new avenues of treatment for and prevention of these disorders as well
as other birth defects.
Another component of the NIH, the National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), is conducting a large 5-year study to determine if
fetal surgery to correct spina bifida in the womb is safer and more effective
than the traditional surgery—which takes place a few days after birth.
Researchers hope this study, called the Management of Myelomeningocele Study, or
MOMS, will better establish which procedure, prenatal or postnatal, is best for
the baby.
Next: Where can I get more information? »
- folic acid-oral, FA-8 - Consumer information about the medication FOLIC ACID - ORAL (FA-8), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug FOLIC ACID - ORAL.
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
- Hydrocephalus - Learn about hydrocephalus (water on the brain) causes like brain trauma, stroke, infection, tumor, and more.
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