Spina Bifida as India’s Overlooked Preventable Disability

The condition behind silent disability

Spina Bifida as India’s Overlooked Preventable Disability: Spina Bifida is a congenital defect where the spinal cord fails to develop properly during early pregnancy. It results from incomplete closure of the neural tube in the embryo. In India, it is recognised as the most common birth defect, yet remains poorly diagnosed and inadequately addressed.

Children affected may show symptoms ranging from mild foot weakness to complete paralysis of both legs. Many develop hydrocephalus, bladder and bowel incontinence, and orthopaedic deformities like clubfoot. These complications begin at birth and persist throughout life if untreated.

Static GK fact: Neural tube defects occur within the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

Scale of the problem in India

India reports over 25,000 Spina Bifida births annually, with a prevalence of nearly 4 per 1,000 live births. This places the country among the highest globally in terms of disease burden. Despite this, awareness at the primary healthcare level remains extremely low.

A significant proportion of families, especially in rural and tribal regions like Jharkhand, are not informed about the condition’s name, cause, or treatment options. Delayed diagnosis often results in irreversible disability.

Static GK Tip: Congenital anomalies are among the top five causes of neonatal mortality in India.

Treatment potential versus access gap

Spina Bifida does not impair intelligence. With early surgery, physiotherapy, and urological care, children can attend school and live independently. Modern medicine offers effective interventions when provided on time.

However, more than 75% of affected children in India lack access to specialised care. Shortages of paediatric neurosurgeons, delayed referrals, and financial constraints worsen outcomes. The result is avoidable dependence and long-term socio-economic burden.

Prevention backed by strong evidence

The most critical aspect of Spina Bifida is that it is largely preventable. A landmark study by the Medical Research Council, published in The Lancet in 1991, established that pre-conceptional folic acid intake can prevent over 70% of cases.

Folic acid is a simple, low-cost micronutrient. Yet, India has not implemented sustained nationwide awareness campaigns targeting women of reproductive age.

Static GK fact: The recommended pre-pregnancy folic acid intake is 400 micrograms per day.

Global experience and India’s policy gap

Globally, 68 countries have mandated folic acid food fortification, leading to prevalence rates dropping below 1 per 1,000 births. Staple foods like wheat flour and maize flour are commonly fortified by law.

India has not adopted mandatory fortification for folic acid. Research is ongoing on fortifying widely consumed items such as salt and tea. Experts like Vijaya Kancherla from Emory University emphasise that prevention is far more cost-effective than lifelong treatment.

The road ahead

Without urgent policy action, Spina Bifida will continue to cause avoidable disability. National awareness campaigns, mandatory food fortification, and early screening must become public health priorities. Preventing a lifelong disability is both a medical responsibility and a social imperative.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

Spina Bifida as India’s Overlooked Preventable Disability: