The Rate Of Children With Neural Tube Defects

12. The effect on the blood folate levels were that the exposed group had lower levels of folate left in the blood.

In Canada, a clinical study by De Wals et al was performed to assess whether or not folic acid fortification has an effect on the recurrence of NTDs (neural tube defects), especially on upper and lower birth defects called spina bifida (De Wals et al., 2008). The study was performed in three different regions in Canada: the eastern, western and central provinces (De Wals et al., 2008). Furthermore, the population of the study was conducted on three different types of births which were livebirths, stillbirths, and termination of pregnancies, and the study was carried out through three periods included prefortification, partial fortification and full fortifications (De Wals et al., 2008). The researchers followed the scientific investigation

Deficiency of the micronutrient folate continues to significantly affect the health of pregnant women and their children, globally. A great cause of concern with folate deficiency is the occurrence of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) in new-born babies due to abnormal early foetal development. According to Greene et al. (2016), NTDs are abnormalities to the formation of the brain, spinal cord or related structures from early foetal development. The rate of the prevalence of NTDs varies between countries from 0.3 to 199.4 cases per 10,000 births. In Australia specifically, approximately 19.5 cases of NTDs occurred per 10,000 cases between 2009 and 2010 (Zaganjoy et al.,

Birth defects, also known as congenital anomalies, is the second leading cause of death for infant accounted for 20.9 percent of all infant deaths in U.S in 2011 (U.S. Dept, 2016).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), birth defects results in one of every 33 babies. Teratogens account for 4 out of 5% of birth defects when chemical and drugs are in the system. The use of this or even infections can cause abnormal fetal development.

The prevalence went down from Oct 1998 to Dec 1999 was 2.02 per 10,000 live births. It reduced by 22.9% (Mark, 2016). Later in the years from 1999-2000 and 2003-2005, the prevalence of spina bifida falls by 6.9%. The reason of the decrease is still unknown. This decreases the prevalence of spina bifida with black population, but not within the white or Hispanic population. Those frequencies about spina bifida had been evaluated toward 1-2 cases for every 1000 population, with certain population hosting a greater frequency based on genetic predilection. Research showed folate can reduce spina bifida by 70% and decrease the severity of the disease. Myelomeningocele is the most common form of spina bifida. In the United States, approximately 1500 babies are born with myelomeningocele each year (Mark, 2016). The myelomeningocele and other neural tube defect had been declined since 20th century. According to CDC, the prevalence of spina bifida is higher in white and Hispanic population, than in the black population. According to Mark, spina bifida is detected 2 and 1.96 per in 10,000 live birth in Hispanic and white population and 1.74 per 10,000 live birth in black

predisposition or the baby being exposed to toxins in the womb. The possible adverse side

Pregnancy is a very difficult time in a women’s life, everything that is digested, breathed, and felt affects the fetus. Teratogens are factors that cause developmental problems of an embryo. These factors include stress; toxin such as drug and cigarette use, the health and even the age of the mother can have an impact on the development of the fetus. Teratogen can cause birth defect that may lead to life long consequences to the child. I am very passionate about this topic due to the alarming increase of birth defects and abnormalities that have been occurring during my generation. In America one in every thirty-three babies are born with a defect

We need to supplement minimum 400 microgram folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine called neural tube defects. Dietary sources are fortified cereals, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, dried

Spina bifida, a type of birth defect meaning, “cleft spine” affects many babies around the globe in that their neural tube incorrectly closes and affects their spinal cord and brain. The three most common types of spina bifida are spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele—in the order of least to the most debilitating. The birth defect is most commonly diagnosed with the Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein blood test, as well as other tests. The complications occurring with the most severe case of spina bifida include meningitis and the Chiari II malformation. Spina bifida can be treated with a wide variety and number of surgeries such as prenatal surgery, as well as prevented by intake of folic acid. The birth defect, spina

1992, the U.S. Public Health Service recommended that all women who are in child bearing age consume at least 400mg of folic acid every day. Studies have shown that women who consume appropriate amounts of folic acid than their daily diets can decrease the possibility of their child being born with spina bifidia by fifty to seventy percent. The U.S. Public

However, not having enough folate in a pregnant women’s diet while pregnant or after, and genetic or environmental factors can contribute to Spina Bifida. It is recommended that women consume folic acid in the form of prenatal vitamins before, during, and after pregnancy to help prevent spina bifida. Pregnant women should not sit in saunas or hot tubs since this could increase the chance of having a baby with Spina Bifida.

Folic acid plays many important roles in the body. There is no doubting that it is essential. The reason that we need a constant stream of it is because it is not stored in large quantities in the body. It is water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins are stored for longer in our system. When ingested, the body uses what it can and the rest comes out in urine, in very little time the body will need more. We discussed how pregnant women get a proven benefit, and studies continue on its role in reducing risks of other diseases, but regardless of what additional benefits are found, it is clear that without folic acid in our bodies, we would not be alive. Folic acid aids in the production of red blood cells and the synthesis of DNA and RNA. Folate even has a role in the digestive system! It works with vitamins B12 and C to help the body digest and synthesize proteins. Lastly, folic acid helps tissues grow and cells function, it is an integral part of the body working as it should.

In Australia, the reasonableness and effectiveness of folic acid being mandatorily fortified to support healthy pregnancy when considering the occurrence of NTDS in Australian children due to the amount their mothers have consumed of folic acid during pregnancy. The main purpose for creating a mandatory policy to include folic acid to the wheat flour of non-organic bread in Australia is to reduce the incidence of NTDs across the nation. Substantial rates of NTDs occur worldwide as significantly more folate is needed early in pregnancy than in other life stages. This early stage of pregnancy is often when women are unaware that they are pregnant. The folate is required for the development of the embryonic neural tube, which develops into

Folate is a natural occurrence in foods such as beans and pulses (e.g. lentils and chickpeas), leafy green vegetables, broccoli, spinach, tuna and oranges (Tiran, 2000). Some foods are also fortified with folic acid such as cereals and bread. Late in the 1990’s United State scientists came to the realisation that despite the availability of folic acid in supplements as well as foods available in the supermarkets, people were still finding it a challenge to meet their daily folate requirement; with this in mind the United States of America implemented the folate fortification program (Latimes.com). For women of childbearing age, folic acid consumption needed to be increased so in January of 1998 the United States food and drug administration authorised a folic acid fortification of all products containing grain. The