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Spina Bifida: India's Hidden Health Crisis
5 Jan
Summary
- Spina Bifida, common in India, causes severe paralysis from birth.
- It is preventable with folic acid, yet awareness is minimal.
- Over 75% of affected children in India lack access to care.
Spina Bifida, a serious spinal cord birth defect, affects over 25,000 children annually in India, contributing to one of the highest global prevalence rates. This condition often results in childhood paralysis, incontinence, and associated health issues like hydrocephalus, yet awareness about its preventability and treatment remains scarce among the public and healthcare providers.
The lack of awareness is particularly concerning given that the Medical Research Council (MRC) Vitamin Study, published in The Lancet in 1991, demonstrated that pre-conceptional folic acid intake can prevent over 70% of Spina Bifida cases. Despite this knowledge, India has undertaken no significant national campaigns for awareness or implemented mandatory food fortification programs, unlike many other countries which have successfully reduced prevalence rates through such measures.
Addressing Spina Bifida requires a multi-pronged approach, including national awareness campaigns and exploring food fortification with folic acid. Experts emphasize that investing in prevention yields significant savings compared to treatment costs, urging a focus on ensuring every woman understands the importance of folic acid for preventing this devastating, yet largely preventable, birth defect.
