Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Chicana and Chicano StudiesLatino Health Issues

Facts About Spina Bifida

WHAT IS SPINA BIFIDA?
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF SPINA BIFIDA?
IS THERE A CURE?
 
 
  • 95 % of Spina Bifida cases occur in families with out a previous family history of Neural Tube Birth Defects. (March of Dimes)
  • If a woman has had a previous NTD affected pregnancy, it increases her chance of having another NTD affected pregnancy by about 20 times.
  • Latinas have an increased chance of having a baby born with Spina Bifida if the mother has or develops Maternal Insulin Dependent Diabetes.
  • Certain anti-seizure medications taken before and while pregnant may increase a woman's chance of having a baby born with Spina Bifida or other Neural Tube Defect.
  • Medically diagnosed obesity is a concern for Latinas and a concern for their babies because it increases the chances of having a baby with a Neural Tube Defect.
  • High temperatures (hot tubs) or prolonged fevers increase a woman's chance of having a baby with Spina Bifida.
  • Race/ Ethnicity is a concern since Latinas have a higher incident rate of Spina bifida than non-Latinas.
  • Lower economic status tends to affect the incident rate of babies born with Spina Bifida or other NTD's.

PREVENTION

  • Multivitamins with the B-vitamin folic acid decrease the risk of Neural Tube Birth Defects by 70 %. (www.marchof dimes.org)
  • Since folic acid promotes the growth of healthy cells, which reduces the risk of babies born with NTD's , women should take 400 micrograms of folic acid before they become pregnant.
  • Every Latina of child bearing age, even if not planning to become pregnant , should take folic acid daily because folate, or folic acid does not stay in the body for a very long time.
  • Women who have had a previous NTD pregnancy should increase their use of folic acid to 4000 microgram daily.

FOLIC ACID

Folic acid is a water soluble B-vitamin that is found in many fruits and vegetables we eat.

Folic acid is found in:

orange juice

citrus fruits

juices

green leafy vegetables

whole grain products

organ meats (liver, heart, brain)

*Should be consumed on a less consistent basis due to high HDL cholesterol found in these meats.

BUT, the best way to make sure you are taking enough folic acid daily, Latinas should take a multivitamin that contain the synthetic form of folic acid, because your body absorbs about 50% of the folate found in food, but about 100% of folate found in multivitamins.

Your body absorbs about 85% of folate found in fortified foods. (Spina Bifida Association of America).

 

Accessibility | Privacy | ASU Disclaimer This site was created by Erika Paulus in fulfillment of requirements for the course CSS 335: Latino Health Issues taught by Dr. Szkupinski Quiroga at Arizona State University, Spring 2005.