[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                              SPINA BIFIDA

                                 ______


                         HON. BILL K. BREWSTER

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 1994

  Mr. BREWSTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues crucial information about spina bifida, the No. 1 
disabling birth defect in the United States, affecting 1 in every 1,000 
newborns. Spina bifida is a birth defect resulting from the failure of 
the spinal column to properly close during the first month after 
conception.
  Mr. Speaker, spina bifida is a serious disability manifested by 
varying degrees of paralysis, loss of sensation in the lower limbs, 
bowel and bladder complications, learning disabilities, latex 
allergies, and hydrocephalus, a condition involving accumulation of 
fluid in the brain. Due to medical research and surgical interventions, 
a majority of individuals born with spina bifida live a normal life 
span. However, the problems of spina bifida continue throughout the 
life cycle with impact in education, labor, justice, and health and 
human services. Extensive and expensive medical, psychological, and 
educational therapy is necessary to ensure an independent and 
fulfilling life.
  Mr. Speaker, there is great news in the prevention of spina bifida. 
The U.S. Public Health Service, of which the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention is an agency, published a recommendation that 
``all women of childbearing age should consume 0.4 mg of folic acid in 
order to reduce their risk of having a child born with spina bifida and 
other neural tube defects''. However, the epidemic of folic acid-
preventable spina bifida continues essentially unabated in spite of the 
Public Health Service recommendation, which if implemented, would 
prevent all of the folic acid preventable spina bifida cases in the 
country. There are approximately 60 million women in the United States, 
of which 6 million can become pregnant, and 4 million do become 
pregnant each year. Through education and appropriations, we can play 
an influential role in preventing this No. 1 disabling birth defect.
  Mr. Speaker, October has been traditionally designated as National 
Spina Bifida Prevention Month. But this designation is only intended to 
remind us of the importance of year-round activities to educate the 
American people about spina bifida and the impressive work of private 
and public health officials in treating spina bifida. In alerting the 
public to the simple measures necessary to prevent this defect, we will 
make important inroads in reducing the occurrence of spina bifida.

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