ABOUT BIRTH DEFECTS
> What
are neural tube birth defects?
> How
much money can NC save by preventing neural tube defects?
> How
does folic acid prevent birth defects?
What are neural
tube birth defects (NTDs)?
NTDs are a group of serious birth defects that occur very
early in pregnancy, before most women are aware that they
are pregnant. The neural tube is the early structure that
grows into the brain and spine. It starts out as a tiny
pancake of tissue and normally folds inward. Next, it fastens
or zippers up to form a tube. (This happens around the 28th
day after conception when embryo is no bigger than a small
grain of rice or the numbers on a penny.) When the folding
and zipping process does not happen correctly a small hole
is left on the neural tube. As the fetus develops, this
hole will not close. Many NTD affected pregnancies result
in miscarriage and some in stillbirth.
Children born with NTDs  usually
need life-long medical treatment.
The most common NTDs are spina
bifida and anencephaly.
Spina bifida may cause leg paralysis, bladder and bowel
problems and/or other serious health complications. The
severity of disability depends on the size and location
of the opening on the spine. Usually, the larger defects
and those higher on the spine cause more disability. Children
born with this condition usually need surgery in the first
few days life. Most people with spina bifida need to use
a wheel chair or leg braces throughout their life to walk.
Anencephaly is always fatal. The baby is born with a severely
underdeveloped brain and skull.
> Back
to Top
How
much money can NC save by preventing NTDs?
In February 2000 an article in the journal Teratology
reported lifetime cost of care for a child with spina bifida
was around $250,000 - $300,000; however, this was based
on data from 1992. Since that time, there have been significant
advances in the treatment of children with spina bifida
along with rising medical costs in general. This has had
lead many to believe that the current lifetime cost is significantly
higher--- perhaps as much as three times higher-- although
no one has published a study in a peer-reviewed journal
with details. In a 1999 CDC educational brochure, the lifetime
cost is estimated to average $532, 000 for each infant born
with spina bifida.
Using the lower, published cost figure, it is estimated
that NC would save $2 - $4 million annually in Medicaid
costs alone, if NC women took a multivitamin with folic
acid daily.
The emotional and physical costs for families is very high.
Half of all NTD pregnancies do not survive. Children born
with spina bifida can have many medical complications, from
mild to severe. These include the following: paralysis of
legs, loss of bladder and bowel control, and learning disabilities.
However, many children with spina bifida grow up to lead
successful and productive lives. Those children who are
lucky enough to have access to special care and services
often loose them at age 21. Thus, medical care is an ongoing
concern.
> Back
to Top
How does
folic acid prevent birth defects?
It is not well understood how folic acid prevents
birth defects. Scientists don't precisely know all the triggers
and mechanisms that cause birth defects. Some studies suggest
that taking folic acid makes up for a diet poor in folates.
Others studies suggest that it counteracts a problem with
the body's ability to use and process folic acid (i.e.,
folate metabolism). Despite the fact that the precise mechanisms
aren't known, the ability of folic acid to prevent birth
defects is supported by the best scientific evidence. This
includes observational studies, non-randomized controlled
trials, and randomized controlled trials.
>
Back to Top
|
|
