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MOTHERS' DIETS AND SPINA BIFIDA

 A relationship between maternal diet and spina bifida has been suspected for a while.  The amount of spina bifida is lower in Southern European countries and in countries with mandatory supplementation of folic acid.   A  Dutch study looked at 50 mothers of children with spina bifida and 81 control mothers.  A Mediterranean diet pattern was characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, vegetable oil, alcohol, fish, legumes and cereals, and low intake of potato and sweets.  There was more than a two-fold risk of spina bifida in mothers not eating this type of dietary pattern, and this was independent of folate supplementation.  The Mediterranean diet was associated with higher blood levels of folate and vitamin B12 and lower plasma homocysteine levels. 

So mothers please take note  -  one's pre-conception diet can effect birth defects. Nevertheless, although the risk is reduced, it's not zero.  There's also no evidence that the Mediterranean diet  can influence other birth defects.

Reference: Vujkovic M et al. The maternal Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with a reduced risk of spina bifida in the offspring.  British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2009;116:408-415