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NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS ASBAH is hoping women will come forward to take part in a clinical trial of a vitamin which may help reduce the risk of Neural Tube Defect (NTD) pregnancies.
It has long been known that folic acid reduces the risk of spina bifida but now scientists believe that a lack of the vitamin inositol can also cause the baby to develop an NTD such as spina bifida or even anencephaly (where the brain is largely absent)
There is already some evidence that inositol can prevent NTD’s and ASBAH is keen to support a new study being funded by the Medical Research Council. ASBAH has been asked to appeal for women who have experienced an NTD pregnancy to join the study and perhaps take the vitamin inositol (as well as folic acid) if they are planning another pregnancy. As many people as possible are needed in the study to give a meaningful result.
No dangers or side effects of inositol are known. It has been used in high doses to treat other conditions and is naturally present in many foods. The research study will run through 2008 at the Institute of Child Health, London.
Anyone wishing to know more or considering taking part should contact Rosemary Batchelor, ASBAH Senior Medical Adviser via the Helpline on 0845 450 7755.
You can get more information from the study website at: www.pontistudy.ich.ucl.ac.uk You can contact the clinical trial co-ordinator Louise Thomason on Telephone07948 118506 and Email at ponti@ich.ucl.ac.uk Updated October 01, 2009 06:50 AM GMT
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