Hacker News Reader

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.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com