Statistics
Spina bifida is found in about
6
babies out of every
10,000
live births
The prevalence of spina bifida differs between racial/ethnic groups. Hispanic women have the highest rate with almost 3.8 live births of 10,000 being affected with spina bifida.
3.80
3.09
2.73
Hispanic
Black/African-American
White
per 10,000 live births
per 10,000 live births
per 10,000 live births
A study carried out on behalf of Public Health England and the Food Standards Agency which was published on the 16th March 2018 has revealed as many as 91% of women of childbearing age (16 – 49) in the UK are at increased risk of a neural tube defect affected pregnancy due to a folic acid deficiency.
Recurrence rate of spina bifida
4%
If you have had a baby with spina bifida, there is a small chance, up to 4%, of having another baby with the condition.
25%
If the baby's spina bifida was part of a genetic condition, the chances of having another baby with spina bifida can be higher, up to 25%.
Obese women are more than twice as likely to have a baby with spina bifida or another neural tube defect.
Taking daily folic acid supplements, at the correct recommended dose three months prior to conception, could reduce up to 70% of these pregnancies from being affected and lower both the number of those born with the condition and the number of pregnancies terminated.
