Data and Statistics

Each year in the United States

• There are 3,000 pregnancies affected by spina bifida or anencephaly, which are neural tube defects (NTDs) caused by the incomplete closing of the spine and skull.
  [Read article]
• About 1,300 babies are born without a neural tube defect since folic acid fortification. [Read article]
• Many, but not all, neural tube defects could be prevented if women took 400 mcg of folic acid daily, before and during early pregnancy. [Read article]
• Half of all pregnancies are unplanned. [Read article]

Hispanic/Latina Women

• Have the highest rate among women having a child affected by these birth defects. [Read summary]
• Have lower blood folate levels and are less likely to consume foods fortified with folic acid. [Read article]
• Are less likely to have heard about folic acid, to know it can prevent birth defects, or take vitamins containing folic acid before pregnancy. [Read article]

Use of Supplements Containing Folic Acid Among Women of Childbearing Age — United States

2007 Survey Data

Among all women of childbearing age:

• 40% reported taking folic acid daily.
• 81% reported awareness of folic acid.
• 12% reported knowing that folic acid should be taken before pregnancy.

Women of childbearing age who were aware of folic acid reported hearing about it from:

• Health care provider (33%)
• Magazine or newspaper (31%)
• Radio or television (23%)

• Women aged 18-24 years were more likely to hear about folic acid from a magazine or newspaper (25%) or school or college (22%) than from their health care provider (17%). Whereas 37% of women aged 25-34 years and 36% of women 35-45 years reported hearing about folic acid from their health care provider.

Among women who reported not taking a vitamin or mineral supplement on a daily basis, the most common reasons were:

• “Forgetting” (33%)
• “No need” (18%)
• “No reason” (14%)
• “Already get balanced nutrition” (12%)

2005 Survey Data

Among all women of childbearing age:

• 33% reported taking folic acid daily.
• 84% reported awareness of folic acid.
• 7% reported knowing that folic acid should be taken before pregnancy.

Among women who reported not taking a vitamin or mineral supplement on a daily basis, the most common reasons were:

• Forgetting to take supplements (28%)
• Perceiving they do not need them (16%)
• Believing they get needed nutrients and vitamins from food (9%)

When asked, “For what specific need would you start taking a vitamin or mineral supplement?” The most common reported needs were:

• Being sick or in poor health (20%)
• A doctor’s recommendation (20%)
• The need for energy (9%)
• Being pregnant (8%)
• Being deficient in any vitamins or minerals (7%)
• Balancing the diet (6%)
• Keeping bones strong (6%)
• In addition, 11% cited no specific need that would motivate them to begin taking a vitamin or supplement. Among women who reported not consuming a vitamin or mineral supplement daily, 31% indicated they had received a doctor’s recommendation.

Economic Cost

• The annual medical care and surgical costs for people with spina bifida exceed $200 million. [Read article]
• The total lifetime cost of care for a child born with spina bifida is estimated to be $791,900.¹ [Read summary]