Spina bifida – Easy remedy must be put into effect

A simple remedy which can considerably reduce the occurrence of a major congenital condition and has been proven to have done so in other countries should not meet any resistance at governmental level here.

The condition is spina bifida and the remedy is to fortify bread with folic acid, which can reduce the incidence by 70%, a fact which has been established in six other countries, including the US and Canada.

Obviously, the beneficial effects of taking folic acid before conception and into the third month of pregnancy are already accepted. In any case, it is present naturally in produce such as orange juice, leafy green vegetables and fortified grains and cereals.

Adding it to flour for making bread, which is being advocated by eminent medical experts here, should not be a daunting process.

An average of 70 babies are born in Ireland every year with neural tube defects, of which spina bifida is most common. Yet, it could be drastically reduced by this simple measure.

Women are advised to take a recommended level of folic acid before conception, but the problem is that many pregnancies are unplanned nearly 40%.

Consequently, they will not have been taking folic acid during the crucial period, which is why fortifying flour is being promoted as a simple solution.

Health Minister Micheál Martin recently gave a commitment to begin consultation on the issue, and the fact that Ireland would be the first country in Europe to adopt such an approach should not be a deterrent.

The Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus supports the move and has urged the Government to act immediately on it, including an information campaign.

This is a measure which does not need the equivalent of the Hanly Report to implement.