Spina Bifida Prevention

Prevention

To help reduce the chance that your baby will be born with spina bifida:

Supplement your diet with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day if you plan to conceive. Supplementation must begin before the baby is conceived and should continue throughout the pregnancy. While a formal vitamin supplement containing folate may be the most reliable method of supplementation, foods with significant quantities of folate include:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Orange juice
- Beans
- White flour products and cereals fortified with folate
Plan your pregnancies . Talk to your doctor if you have any of the risk factors listed above.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.