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]
- An estimated 1,000 more babies are born healthy since fortification. [Read article]
- 50% to 70% of these NTDs could be prevented if women took 400 mcg of folic acid daily, before and during 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 $560,000. [Read summary]
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
1600 Clifton Road
MS E-87
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
flo@cdc.gov