Genetics and Health

Folic Acid, Genes, and Spina Bifida

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on September 8th, 2005

In 1998, the U.S. began adding folic acid to enriched flours, rice, and pastas which has reduced the rate of spina bifida and anencephaly birth defects by more than a third. Women who have the potential to become pregnant are frequently reminded to maximize their folic acid intake because the first few weeks of pregnancy before most women even know they’re pregnant are the most critical.

Spina bifida and anencephaly arise when the neural tube of a developing embryo, which forms the brain, skull and spine, does not close properly during the first weeks of pregnancy. The defect can cause paralysis in spina bifida and serious malformation of the brain in anencephaly.

Los Angeles Times, September 6, 2005

The severity of spina bifida differs from person to person. Symptoms include hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), partial paralysis, bladder and bowel control difficulties, learning disabilities, depression, latex allergy and social and sexual issues. Spina bifida occurs in about 7 out of every 10,000 live births in the U.S.

This week, scientists at Trinity College, Dublin reported that the MTHF and CT677 genes increase the risk of a woman giving birth to a child with spina bifida. These genes are believed to be involved in the metabolism of folic acid.

Some scientists and health advocates are asking the Food and Drug Administration to double the amount of folic acid added to fortified foods because it not only decreases the risk of birth defects, it also reduces the levels of homocysteine, which is linked to heart attacks and strokes. But opponents say that high levels of folic acid for people who don’t need it could actually cause health problems, such as making it difficult to detect vitamin B-12 deficiency that can lead to neurological problems.

The best thing would probably be if everyone read labels carefully and determined how much supplementation they need. I don’t always do that so I personally take a multi-vitamin every day. As the thriving vitamin industry shows, vitamins are expensive so not everyone can afford them. However, adding folic acid to food is a good idea that can be taken too far.

ETA: For one woman’s experience with spina bifida, see Spina Bifida Moms.

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