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Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
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Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Spina bifida and anencephaly prevalence--United States, 1991-2001

T J Mathews, Margaret A Honein, J David Erickson

    MMWR. Recommendations and Reports : Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Recommendations and Reports
    |October 2, 2002
    PubMed

    Insights

    Folic acid fortification of grains has significantly reduced neural tube defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. This public health initiative has led to approximately 920 fewer infant cases annually, demonstrating the effectiveness of mandated folic acid fortification.

    Area of Science:

    • Public Health
    • Maternal and Child Health
    • Nutritional Epidemiology

    Background:

    • Spina bifida and anencephaly are severe birth defects impacting neural tube development.
    • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated folic acid fortification in enriched cereal grain products in 1998 to mitigate these defects.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze trends in spina bifida and anencephaly prevalence in the United States from 1991 to 2001.
    • To assess the impact of folic acid fortification on the incidence of these neural tube defects.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized birth defect data reported to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) from birth certificates (1991-2001).
    • Focused on live births in U.S. reporting areas, excluding Maryland, New Mexico, and New York for trend consistency.
    • Analyzed combined and individual prevalence data for spina bifida and anencephaly.

    Main Results:

    • A significant decline of 23% in combined neural tube defects (spina bifida and anencephaly) was observed between 1996 and 2001.
    • Spina bifida prevalence decreased by 24%, and anencephaly by 21% during the same period.
    • These declines represent an estimated 920 infants annually born without these serious conditions.

    Conclusions:

    • Folic acid fortification of enriched cereal grain products has demonstrably reduced the occurrence of spina bifida and anencephaly in the U.S.
    • Continued surveillance is crucial to monitor the long-term effectiveness of folic acid fortification programs.
    • The fortification policy represents a successful public health intervention for preventing major birth defects.

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