Is it true that Spina Bifida occurs due to a lack of folic acid during pregnancy?

Is it true that Spina Bifida occurs due to a lack of folic acid during pregnancy?

Is it true that Spina Bifida occurs due to a lack of folic acid during pregnancy?

Spina bifida is a birth defect when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly. This condition is a type of neural tube defect.

The neural tube is the structure in a developing embryo that eventually becomes the baby's brain, spinal cord, and surrounding tissues.

There is a suspicion that an imperfectly formed neural tube is caused by a lack of folic acid intake during pregnancy. Read more about the relationship between spina bifida and folic acid here!

The Relationship between Spina Bifida and Folic Acid Deficiency

The critical period of fetal development occurs in the early weeks of pregnancy when women often do not yet realize that they are pregnant.

One of the earliest structures to form is the neural tube. These structures are initially flat, then form into tubes within 1 month after fertilization to become the brain and spinal cord.

Without enough folic acid, the cells in these structures cannot function or grow properly, and the ducts cannot close. The spine, skull, and brain can be affected, with open or closed abnormalities.

Two types of neural tube defects can most commonly occur due to folic acid deficiency, namely spina bifida and anencephaly.

Spina bifida is a condition in which part of the spinal cord and surrounding structures develop outside, rather than inside, the body.

Meanwhile, anencephaly is a condition in which the brain and skull bones do not form properly, resulting in the loss of part of the brain.

Quoting Johns Hopkins Medicine, researchers have found that the risk of neural tube defects can decrease significantly when pregnant women get additional folic acid in addition to healthy foods from 1 month before conception to 2 to 3 months after pregnancy.

Reasons Why Women Need Folic Acid From the Beginning of Pregnancy

Every woman who wants to get pregnant should get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Likewise, pregnant women who have just found out about their pregnancy.

You need to be aware that neural tube defects (such as spina bifida) can occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Often, before a woman knows she is pregnant.

That's why it's essential for all women who can become pregnant to get 400 mcg of folic acid every day, even if they are not planning a pregnancy. Because by the time you realize you are pregnant, it may be too late to prevent spina bifida.

The easiest way to ensure you get enough folic acid is to take a daily vitamin containing 400 mcg.

Folic acid is also in bread, pasta, rice, cereals, and corn flour. Apart from that, folic acid is also found in natural food sources such as:

• Nuts.
• Orange
• Asparagus.
• Broccoli
• Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and mustard greens.

Apart from that, there are 4 choices of fruit that contain folic acid that you can try.

However, it is usually difficult for most women to get the daily amount of folate that doctors recommend through food alone.

Therefore, women must take supplements containing at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily.

Avoid taking more significant amounts of folic acid unless your doctor recommends it. Because consuming large quantities may not necessarily prevent birth defects such as spina bifida.

If you need prenatal vitamins and supplements, ask your obstetrician first. The doctor will prescribe the right vitamins according to your condition.

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