Birth defects in Arkansas Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality, accounting for more than one in five infant deaths in the United States. In Arkansas 12.4 of every 10,000 live births are affected by NTDs. From 1993 to 1994, there were 13.7 cases per 10,000 live births for Caucasians and 6.71 cases per 10,000 live births for African-Americans. These findings give Arkansas one of the highest rates of NTDs in the country. Daily intake of 400 micrograms of the B-vitamin folic acid can help reduce the incidence of neural tube defects by 50 to 70 percent.
Research shows that few non-pregnant women report taking a vitamin containing folic acid daily.
According to a 1998 Gallup poll, women note that they generally do not hear about folic acid from their health care providers. Research conducted by the National Council on Folic Acid concluded that approximately two-thirds of women in the United States report that they would take a vitamin containing folic acid if their health care provider recommended it. Back to main page Updated April 29, 2001.