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Folic call as spina bifida rises Experts urge wider folic acid use
(19 minutes later)
Women of childbearing age are being urged to take folic acid supplements, even if they are not planning to start a family. Women of childbearing age have been urged to take folic acid supplements, even if they are not planning a family.
The recommendation follows a sudden rise in the number of babies born in Scotland with spina bifida. The Scottish Spina Bifida Association said 15 babies had been born in Scotland with the condition since January - double the normal number.
The Scottish Spina Bifida Association said 15 babies had been born in Scotland with the condition since January, double the normal number. It said folic acid supplements, which research suggests can prevent many cases, were often taken too late.
Children born with spina bifida are often paralysed from the waist down. Its advice targets all sexually active women of childbearing age because of the numbers of unplanned pregnancies.
They can also suffer lifelong spinal cord, bowel and bladder problems. Children born with spina bifida are often paralysed from the waist down and can suffer lifelong spinal cord, bowel and bladder problems.
Some also have brain damage. Some children also have brain damage.
Childbearing age Four weeks
Research suggests up to 75% of cases could be prevented by the mother taking folic acid three months before conception, and during pregnancy.Research suggests up to 75% of cases could be prevented by the mother taking folic acid three months before conception, and during pregnancy.
However, as so many pregnancies are unplanned, the Scottish Spina Bifida Association urged women of childbearing age who are sexually active to take folic acid supplements, even if they are not expecting to become pregnant.
Five-year-old Ella Chambers was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth.Five-year-old Ella Chambers was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth.
She cannot walk and has hydrocephalus, or water on the brain.She cannot walk and has hydrocephalus, or water on the brain.
Her mother Melanie said: "I took folic acid tablets as soon as I found out I was pregnant but I've since discovered you need to take it at least three months prior to becoming pregnant.Her mother Melanie said: "I took folic acid tablets as soon as I found out I was pregnant but I've since discovered you need to take it at least three months prior to becoming pregnant.
"I'll never know, if I had taken it earlier, whether I'd be in a different situation now.""I'll never know, if I had taken it earlier, whether I'd be in a different situation now."
The spinal cord develops within the first four weeks of pregnancy so by that stage it's too late Dr Margo WhitefordThe spinal cord develops within the first four weeks of pregnancy so by that stage it's too late Dr Margo Whiteford
Dr Margo Whiteford, consultant geneticist and chair of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association, said: "This year we've had as many contacts from families in the first half of the year as we'd expect to see for the full year.Dr Margo Whiteford, consultant geneticist and chair of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association, said: "This year we've had as many contacts from families in the first half of the year as we'd expect to see for the full year.
"We don't know if this is down to folic acid but we do know that most women don't take enough folic acid at the right time." "We don't know if this is down to folic acid but we do know that most women don't take enough folic acid at the right time.
"Ladies do know about folic acid preventing spina bifida but they wait until they've missed a period before they start taking it."Ladies do know about folic acid preventing spina bifida but they wait until they've missed a period before they start taking it.
"The spinal cord develops within the first four weeks of pregnancy so by that stage it's too late - if the baby's going to have spina bifida it will already have developed it.""The spinal cord develops within the first four weeks of pregnancy so by that stage it's too late - if the baby's going to have spina bifida it will already have developed it."
It's not known whether the same trend has been seen in other parts of the country, as the latest figures for England, Wales and Northern Ireland date back to 2007.It's not known whether the same trend has been seen in other parts of the country, as the latest figures for England, Wales and Northern Ireland date back to 2007.
Under reviewUnder review
Scotland has the highest rate of children born with spina bifida in the UK because Scottish mothers are less likely to abort the foetus once the condition is diagnosed.Scotland has the highest rate of children born with spina bifida in the UK because Scottish mothers are less likely to abort the foetus once the condition is diagnosed.
Half of affected pregnancies are terminated in Scotland, compared to 90% in the rest of the UK. Half of affected pregnancies are terminated in Scotland, compared with 90% in the rest of the UK.
In 2007 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommended that folic acid should be added to bread or flour.In 2007 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommended that folic acid should be added to bread or flour.
However that recommendation is under review following new research which suggested it could increase the risk of colorectal cancer.However that recommendation is under review following new research which suggested it could increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
The FSA said that anyone who is not about to become pregnant could get enough folic acid from a balanced diet.The FSA said that anyone who is not about to become pregnant could get enough folic acid from a balanced diet.
Anyone thinking of becoming pregnant should take 0.4mg (400 micrograms) from the time they stop using contraception.Anyone thinking of becoming pregnant should take 0.4mg (400 micrograms) from the time they stop using contraception.