People who have a high level of substance called homocyteine have an increased risk of developing heart attacks, stroke, and decreased circulation to their hands and feet. Folate may reduce harmful homocysteine levels in their blood. Adequate folate is especially important for women who are pregnant, or plan to have children some day. The two major neural tube defects reduced by adequate folate are anecephaly and spina bifida. Babies with anecephaly do not develop a brain and are either stillborn, or die soon after birth.
Babies born with spina bifida have a defect in their spinal column.
Tissue over the spinal column does not close and this can result in varying degrees of handicap. Sometimes the defect is very mild and causes little or no problem. In most cases, however, the defect is more severe and requires surgery shortly after birth to prevent the baby from dying. Other major surgeries often follow. Severe spina bifida can result in paralysis or incontinence.