Download Spina Bifida and Genetic Risk

Spina Bifida and Fertility
Amy Houtrow, MD, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor of
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
and Pediatrics
University of Pittsburgh
Parents Often Ask
The Answer
Fertility and Spina Bifida
• Women with spina bifida tend to have normal
fertility meaning that they can get pregnant
• If a pregnancy isn’t wanted, women with spina
bifida who are sexual active should use birth
control.
– Non-latex condoms can be used as birth control
and as a method of protecting against sexual
transmitted infections
– Other birth control options should be discussed
with a doctor
Fertility and Spina Bifida
• If pregnancy is desired, women with spina
bifida should see a Obstetrician who
specializes in high risk pregnancies before
getting pregnant
• Plans need to be made for
– Taking folic acid 4mg/day
– Addressing current medications
– Monitoring the pregnancy
– Delivery
Genetic Considerations
• Unlike some conditions, there isn’t one gene for spina
bifida
• The cause of spina bifida is likely from interactions
from multiple genes that get modified by
environmental factors.
• Some things increase the risk of spina bifida
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Diabetes
Obesity
High fever very early in pregnance
Having or having a close relative with spina bifida
Certain medications
Folic acid deficiency
Genetic Considerations
• 2 out of 10,000 babies born each year will
have spina bifida
Risk of having a baby
with spina bifida
For a person with spina bifida
5-10%
For a person with a 1st degree
relative with spina bifida
3-5%
For a person with a 2nd degree
relative with spina bifida
1-2%
Helpful Articles
• Epidemiologic and genetic aspects of spina bifida
and other neural tube defect
– By KS Au, A Ashley-Koch, H Northrup
– In Developmental Disabilities Research Review 2010;
16 (1): pgs 6-15
• Sexuality Issues in Adolescents with a Chronic
Neurologic Condition
– By KJ Sawin, CF Buran, TJ Brei, PS Fastenau
– In the Journal of Perinatal Education 2002; Winter,
11(1): pgs 22-34.