Life saving Folic Acid Recommendation welcomed
The Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, ASBAH, warmly welcomes the Food Standards Agency’s decision to recommend to health ministers, the mandatory fortification of UK flour with the vitamin folic acid. Unnecessary severe disability will be prevented as a result of this initiative.
Each year up to 1200 pregnancies in the UK are affected by Neural Tube Defects (spina bifida) – 85% of which result in abortions. Around 150 severely disabled babies are born with Spina Bifida, a severe birth impairment. Taking folic acid, at the correct dose, could prevent up to 75% of these affected pregnancies. ASBAH estimates up to 300 pregnancies a year in the UK will be saved by flour fortification.
Chief Executive of The Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Andrew Russell, commented:
"We are delighted that the FSA board has taken the decision to recommend mandatory flour fortification to ministers. It is a rare opportunity to benefit from a vitamin, and significantly improve public health. Now that the science has been listened to, we look to health ministers to speedily implement this life saving measure.
Andrew added: “ There is still uncertainty within the FSA about which UK flours will be fortified. To ensure that the maximum number of women of child-bearing age benefit from the fortification, it is vital that the widest range of flour products are fortified. Demographics show that it is the poorest and most educationally underprivileged women who are most at risk of a spina bifida pregnancy. Unfortunately relying on all women to plan their pregnancies and take a folic acid supplement in advance is unrealistic as a policy approach. Moreover since thousands of Americans have taken folic acid in supplements for decades, there is over a billion person-years of experience of folic acid supplementation, with no evidence of any harm from the vitamin, only benefits.”
As well as eating fortified foods and a varied diet, women of child-bearing age should also take a folic acid supplement to protect the health of their baby.
Adding the small measure of the vitamin to flour is not “mass medication” but responsible nutrition policy. It is already accepted public health practice in the USA and 38 other countries that have already introduced folic acid into flour. Significant health benefits have been seen including reductions in heart disease and stroke and a dramatic fall in the number of spina bifida affected pregnancies.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
Case Studies
The Association for spina bifida and hydrocephalus is in touch with a number of families throughout the UK who have children disabled through spina bifida and who are happy to be interviewed and speak of their experiences. Please get in touch with us.
Spina Bifida occurs very early in pregnancy when the spine and brain are being formed. It is a fault in the development of the spine, which fails to close properly. Spina bifida often results in paralysis below the fault resulting in severe disability.
Hydrocephalus, a major secondary complication of spina bifida with excess fluid pressure in the brain, which can cause brain damage if not treated promptly.
The Association for Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus is a national charity directly helping over 15,000 people with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, and their families in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
ASBAH’s Helpline on 0845 450 7755 helps thousands individuals and families every year on all issues concerning spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Source: Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, (ASBAH)
42 Park Road, Peterborough, PE1 2U
Contact: Andrew Russell, Chief Executive
Tel: 01733 421365
Fax: 01733 555985
website: http://www.asbah.org
e-mail: andrewr@asbah.org