Spina Bifida is a rare birth disorder, affecting approximately 1 in 12-1400 live births, although fortunately its incidence appears to be declining with each decade. It is the most serious birth disorder affecting the nervous system compatible with life. Spina bifida occurs when a portion of the fetal spinal cord, during the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy, fails to properly close. As a result, the child is born with a part of the spinal cord exposed on the back. There appear to be both genetic and environmental influences that contribute to spina bifida. For example, once a couple has one child with spina bifida, the risk of having a second child increases to 2-3%; if the couple has two affected children, their risk of having a third child increases to about 10%.

Recently, attention has been focused on nutrition, and in particular the role of folate (a B vitamin) on reducing the incidence of spina bifida. Studies show that a woman who takes folate supplementation before and during the early stages of pregnancy has a lower chance of having a child with spina bifida. Any woman who is contemplating getting pregnant should begin taking supplemental folate; consult your physician for more information about this.

Both Dr’s Dias & Iantosca are members of the Spina Bifida Association of America (www.sbaa.org).