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Spina BifidaPreventing an Early Pregnancy Tragedy 1 www.marchofdimes.com and www.spinabifidaassociation.com
50% of Pregnancies are UnplannedNeural tube forms during the3rd to 6th week of pregnancyCritical to be taking a multivitamin with folic acid before neural tube forms“Many critical stages in a baby’s development occur before a women realizes she is pregnant,” Dr. Mary Jane Minkin 2 www.marchofdimes.com and www.spinabifidaassociation.com
Neural tubeDefinitionA tubular structure that results from the folding of tissue along the back of vertebrate embryos and develops into the brain and spinal cord. Improper folding of the neural tube is the cause of spina bifida and other birth defects. 16 Days 20 Days Neural tube Development at rightshowing 16, 20, 22, and 24 day development. 22 Days Source of diagrams: Neuroanantomy Lab Resources Appendices at http://isc.temple.edu/neuroanatomy/lab/embryo_new/nt 24 Days 3 www.marchofdimes.com and www.spinabifidaassociation.com
What is Spina Bifida? ,[object Object]
 Most common birth defect that disables people for lifePreventing Spina Bifida Risk of neural tube defects like Spina Bifida can be reduced up to 70% if all women who could become pregnant take a multivitamin. 4 www.marchofdimes.com and www.spinabifidaassociation.com

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Preventing Spina Bifida

  • 1. Spina BifidaPreventing an Early Pregnancy Tragedy 1 www.marchofdimes.com and www.spinabifidaassociation.com
  • 2. 50% of Pregnancies are UnplannedNeural tube forms during the3rd to 6th week of pregnancyCritical to be taking a multivitamin with folic acid before neural tube forms“Many critical stages in a baby’s development occur before a women realizes she is pregnant,” Dr. Mary Jane Minkin 2 www.marchofdimes.com and www.spinabifidaassociation.com
  • 3. Neural tubeDefinitionA tubular structure that results from the folding of tissue along the back of vertebrate embryos and develops into the brain and spinal cord. Improper folding of the neural tube is the cause of spina bifida and other birth defects. 16 Days 20 Days Neural tube Development at rightshowing 16, 20, 22, and 24 day development. 22 Days Source of diagrams: Neuroanantomy Lab Resources Appendices at http://isc.temple.edu/neuroanatomy/lab/embryo_new/nt 24 Days 3 www.marchofdimes.com and www.spinabifidaassociation.com
  • 4.
  • 5. Most common birth defect that disables people for lifePreventing Spina Bifida Risk of neural tube defects like Spina Bifida can be reduced up to 70% if all women who could become pregnant take a multivitamin. 4 www.marchofdimes.com and www.spinabifidaassociation.com
  • 6. Many things can affect a baby, including family genes and things women may come in contact with during pregnancy. Taking folic acid cannot guarantee having a healthy baby, but it can help.  What is folic acid? Folic acid helps the body make cells. When a woman is pregnant, she needs more folic acid than usual so her baby can develop normally. Spina Bifida often occurs in a fetus before a woman even knows she is pregnant. So women should take folic acid every day to have healthy babies. Research has shown that if all women who could possibly become pregnant were to take a multivitamin with folic acid, the risk of neural tube defects like Spina Bifida could be reduced by up to 70%. Where can I get folic acid? Folic acid is in multivitamins and foods like green vegetables, fruits and juices. Some foods like cereal and bread have folic acid added to them. A diet with a lot of folic acid is good for you, but most people do not get enough through food alone. The best way to get the right amount is to take a vitamin with folic acid every day. How much folic acid do I need? Women who could become pregnant should take 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid through a vitamin. Women who have a child or had a pregnancy affected by Spina Bifida or have Spina Bifida themselves should take 4000 mcg (4.0 mg) of folic acid for one to three months before pregnancy. This amount of folic acid is higher than what you can get in the store, so you will need to see a doctor for a prescription. So, it's important for these women to plan any future pregnancy. www.marchofdimes.com and www.spinabifidaassociation.com 5 FOLIC ACID