Medical
Questions
Governmental Action
Legal Questions
Additional Information |
| |
|
|
Medical
Questions |
Q. |
|
What is the incidence of neural
tube defects in the United States? |
| |
|
|
A. |
|
The term Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)
encompasses Spina Bifida, Anencephaly and Encephalocele.
These three conditions combined affect about one
in a thousand pregnancies in the United States.
This amounts to about four thousand pregnancies
a year nationwide. |
| |
|
|
Q. |
|
If all women consumed the recommended
dosage of folic acid, how many of these NTDs could
be prevented? |
| |
|
|
A. |
|
No matter how much folic acid
a woman takes before and during her pregnancy,
some cases of NTDs will probably always occur.
However, if all women of child bearing age took
400 mcg daily, which is the amount contained in
prenatal vitamins and most multivitamins, approximately
70% of NTDs could be prevented. |
| |
|
|
Q. |
|
Putting aside the prevention
of NTDs, what risks and other benefits does folic
acid have? |
| |
|
|
A. |
|
Years ago some scientists worried
that folic acid could conceal the symptoms of
a blood condition called Pernicious Anemia, which
might then lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment
of this condition. That theory has been shown
to be unfounded, leaving no known risks to taking
the recommended dose of folic acid. In addition
to the benefit of preventing NTDs, recent studies
have demonstrated that folic acid may also help
prevent Downs Syndrome and congenital heart defects. |
| |
|
|
Q. |
|
In addition to prenatal vitamins
and multivitamins, what are the other sources
of folic acid? |
| |
|
|
A. |
|
Leafy vegetables, such as broccoli,
spinach and asparagus, contain naturally occurring
folic acid. Many fruits (oranges and orange juice
in particular) contain folic acid as well. However,
a typical American diet does not provide nearly
enough naturally occurring folic acid to prevent
NTDs. |
| |
|
|
Q. |
|
How much folic acid is needed
to prevent NTDs? |
| |
|
|
A. |
|
Women who have already had a pregnancy
affected by an NTD have a 2-3% chance of an NTD
with each additional pregnancy. For these women,
the current recommendation is 4000 mcg daily.
For women who do not have a history of a pregnancy
affected by an NTD, the current recommendation
is 400 mcg per day. Unfortunately, even if these
recommendations are followed, there is no assurance
that all NTDs can be prevented with folic acid. |
| |
|
|
Governmental
Action |
Q. |
|
What has the government done
to try to reduce the incidence of NTDs? |
| |
|
|
A. |
|
As of January 1, 1998, manufacturers
of most grain products have been required to fortify
their products with folic acid. This fortification
program has increased an average woman’s daily
intake of folic acid by about 100 mcg, resulting
in about a 19% reduction in the incidence of NTDs. |
| |
|
|
Legal Questions |
Q. |
|
My child has Spina Bifida.
Do I have a case? |
| |
|
|
A. |
|
It depends. The lawyers at Feldman,
Shepherd, Wohlgelernter, Tanner & Weinstock will investigate
your particular facts in order to determine whether
you have a case if you contact
them. There will be no charge for the consultation
or investigation. |
| |
|
|
Q. |
|
Does your law firm handle lawsuits
in my state? |
| |
|
|
A. |
|
Feldman, Shepherd, Wohlgelernter, Tanner & Weinstock has lawyers who are licensed to practice
in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Texas.
However, court rules permit us to retain local
counsel (at our expense) and handle cases throughout
the nation, which we do on a regular basis. |
| |
|
|
Additional Information |
For more information,
we suggest you call us at 1-877-724-3432
,
or visit the following sites: |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Spina Bifida Association of America |
| |
|
|
| |
|
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Association for Spina Bifida and
Hydrocephalus |
| |
|
|
| |
|
U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| |
|
|
| |
|
U.S. National Institutes of Health
and Human Services
National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and
Stroke |
