100621 parlementary questions NTDs

Parliamentary question about the prevention of neural tube defects in Europe

On January 27th parliamentarians Dr. Antonyia Parvanova, Edite Estrela and Ria Oomen-Ruijten participated in the launch of the IF-Bayer Schering Pharma report "Act against Europe's most common birth defects" in the European Parliament. The objective of the report and event was to draw attention to the disappointing progress in reducing the number of pregnancies affected by neural tube defects (NTDs) in Europe and to reactivate the debate on the importance of adequate folate levels in women of childbearing age. Following this campaign, all three MEPs now have jointly posed a written question to the European Commission. Among others, they ask the Commission if it has taken note of the disappointing results and whether the Commission acknowledges and supports the need for adequate levels of folate for women of childbearing age during preconception and early pregnancy. They also inquire if the Commission is willing to start implementing awareness-raising campaigns to reduce NTDs. Read more on the EP website.

Dr. Antonyia Parvanova is one of the Members of the European Parliament who, together with Edite Estrela and Ria Oomen-Ruijten, actively strives to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in Europe

100620 flemish resolution folic acid

Flemish parliament adopts Folic Acid resolution

After the presentation of the IF-Bayer Schering Pharma report "Act against Europe's most common birth defects", Flemish parliamentarian Tom Dehaene discussed the prevention of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) through the use of Folic Acid with the Flemish Minister for Welfare, Public Health and Family, Jo Vandeurzen. His questions resulted in the proposal of the "Resolution about the use of Folic Acid before conception and during pregnancy". The purpose of the resolution is to initiate ongoing preventive actions to educate all women of childbearing age about the importance of timely use of Folic Acid in Flanders. The results of the campaigns will also need to be monitored. On June 16, 2010, the Flemish Parliament adopted the resolution in its plenary meeting. It is now up to the Flemish Government to act upon this resolution.

Parliamentarian Tom Dehaene successfully campaigned for the adoption of a Folic Acid resolution in the Flemish Parliament

Antiepilectic drug increases risk of several major birth defects

Researchers from the University of Groningen and the University of Ulster investigated the association of the antiepilectic drug valproic acid with major birth defects. The results of their study are published in the New England Journal of Medicine on June 10, 2010. It was already known that the use of valproic acid increased the risk of Spina Bifida, yet the research showed an elevated risk for several other congenital defects as well, both compared to no use of anticonvulsants or the use of other antiepilectic drugs. This information should be taken into consideration when choosing an anticonvulsant for women of childbearing age. Despite the increased risk, a sizeable majority of children is born without defects. Other research investigated the possible protective effect of Folic Acid. It may lower the risk for higher, Folic Acid sensitive Spina Bifida lesions, but further studies are needed.