Prevention Statistics

Recent studies have demonstrated that a supplement of folic acid helps reduce by at least half the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida.

Since the time of this discovery, Health Canada has recommended that women planning to become pregnant take a supplement of 4 to 8 mg of folic acid in a multivitamin preparation each day, three months before they become pregnant, and one month into the pregnancy. Folic acid is a vitamin available in foods by its concentration is not high enough to help prevent spina bifida. Supplements can be easily found in pharmacies.

A team of researchers from Sherbrooke University's Faculty of Medicine is working on developing strategies to help women of childbearing age to exercise prevention.

At the moment, this teams statistics show that only 13% of women in the Montreal region who are of childbearing age are aware of the benefits of taking folic acid.

If you would like to join in on the statistical research project by donating the sum of your choice, kindly contact Pascale Morin, project co-ordinator, at (819) 829-7131, extension 2256, or by email at pmorin@courrier.usherb.ca .