§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the incidence of spina bifida among newborn infants in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. AncramIn 1992 the incidence was 0.78 per 1,000 total registered births.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of spina bifida among newborn babies;
(2) what information he has concerning the use of vitamin supplementation for women in their main child-bearing years as a means of reducing cases of spina bifida; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramAn expert advisory group report on folic acid and the prevention of neural tube defects, published in December 1992, confirmed evidence that women who increase their intake of folic acid when planning a pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of having a baby with neural tube defect such as spina bifida. The report was immediately issued to all doctors, senior nurses, midwives and health visitors with a request that all women planning a pregnancy be advised to increase their consumption of folic acid. Health education material has been revised to incorporate this advice and a new public campaign using leaflets and posters was launched last month.