THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Oct 12, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The risk of the congenital birth abnormality of spina bifida can be reduced measurably if the mother simply eats a balanced diet, a report said Tuesday.

Dutch researcher Pascal Groenen found low concentrations of myo-inositol, zinc or vitamin B12 in the blood, or a slightly elevated glucose concentration in the blood increase the risk of having a child with the abnormality,

Groenen's research was prompted by the discovery that myo-inositol can prevent 70 percent of the cases of spina bifida in mice. Myo-inositol plays a role in many biological processes, and is produced by the body and also absorbed from food.

This led to Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center setting up a large-scale study into the role of nutrition, lifestyle and genetic factors in the development of spina bifida in humans. In total, 132 families with a child with spina bifida and 236 control families have taken part in the study.

Spina bifida affects the central nervous system, which develops during the first four weeks of pregnancy. In the most serious form, the skin and vertebrae of the back are not completely closed. As a result, the nerves are often damaged and consequently most of the patients are paralyzed.

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