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- 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).
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