Many women of childbearing age know folic acid is to be taken

to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida. But researchers are looking at another nutrient that may help as well, called inositol. In the study, women who have had children with neural tube defects and are contemplating another pregnancy have been invited to participate. That's not really as good as a random sampling, but it does seem to be a blinded study, at least.

Study to test nutrient ability to prevent birth defect

Spina bifida affects 7 out of every 10,000 live births in the United States, according to the Spina Bifida Association, although of course the incidence may be higher, as some pregnancies are terminated due to the disorder. It would be great if this study pans out, further reducing the incidence. As mentioned the other day, Aaron Fotheringham, the extreme wheelchair sports figure, has spina bifida, and he can do some amazing things, so it's certainly not the end of the world to be diagnosed, but if something as simple as a nutrient can help prevent it, that's all to the good.