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PSA: If you can possibly get pregnant, please make sure you are taking a folate supplement. If you have a partner that can possibly get pregnant, make sure she is taking a folate supplement. Folate reduces the risk of this happening.

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Old source:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5113a1.htm

Current source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spina-bifida/...

tl;dr: folate deficiency is probably a main factor, but not the sole cause of NTD's.

This is absolutely true. Another way of saying this is: at a population based level, a very cheap and effective way to decrease the incidence of spina bifida is by providing folate supplementation. However, some mothers are genetically pre-disposed to having children with NTDs, and certain medications interfere with metabolism and can increase the risk of NTDs.

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