The Spina Bifida Genetics Research Project is enrolling mothers who have given birth
to a child with Spina Bifida in a study to determine if genetic variations in folic
acid metabolism account for an increased risk of having a child with Spina Bifida. From
the results of the study, it may be possible to develop a test that can identify
at-risk women prior to conception. They could then be treated by their physicians
the same way as women who have had a child with Spina Bifida – with high dose folic
acid supplementation.
Participants in the study are asked to complete a brief online survey and provide
a DNA sample using a simple at-home saliva collection kit. For more information and
to enroll in the SB Genetics Research Project, please go to the website at http://www.sbgenetics.org
and select ENROLL. The website and survey are available in both English and Spanish.
If you would prefer to take the survey by phone, call 1-866-561-3538.
Upon completion, participants may choose to receive a $10 Target gift card or to
have SB Genetics donate $10 to their designated Spina Bifida organization. If the
study results are positive, SB Genetics will provide complimentary versions of the
test to participants.
The SB Genetics Research Project includes scientists from UC Berkeley, Stanford University,
UC San Francisco, Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute and VitaPath Genetics.
