Table 2

Annual rates of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Newfoundland and Labrador before folic acid supplementation (1991–1993), prior to folic acid fortification (1994–1997) and after fortification (1998–2001)

Period
No. of cases of NTDs
Total no. of births*
Rate per 1,000 births

In live births and stillbirths
In terminated pregnancies
Total



Pre-supplementation





1991–1993
50
40
90
20,711
4.35
Pre-fortification





1994–1997
53
50
103
23,592
4.37
Post-fortification





1998–2001
8
11
19
19,816
0.96

* The total number of births includes live births, stillbirths and terminations for an NTD.

Liu et al. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2004 4:20   doi:10.1186/1471-2393-4-20