The importance of women having enough folic acid in their bodies before and during pregnancy to prevent permanent and life-threatening birth defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly ...

Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida (abnormal development of the spine) and anencephaly, which affects the brain, affect about 1,000 pregnancies per year in the UK. Over 40% of cases are fatal.

Spina bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect that is associated with life. Each year approximately 1,400 babies born in the United States have spina bifida, according to the U.S.