The NHS website saw more than 18,000 hits in an hour on its spina
bifida pages following Sunday night's episode of Call the
Midwife.
Spina bifida is a rare condition that occurs when a baby's
spine and spinal cord does not develop properly in the womb,
causing a gap in the spine.
In the BBC One episode, viewers saw a baby girl born with
meningocele, a serious type of spina bifida where the
protective membranes around the spinal cord push out through the
spine.
The condition can cause people to experience movement problems,
issues with their bladder and bowels, as well as a build up of
fluid on the brain that can cause learning difficulties.
There were 18,876 hits on the spina bifida NHS webpage
immediately following the airing of the programme – where the
baby had a successful operation to treat the condition – with the
weekly total of visits rising to 30,202 in the past week,
compared to 2,280 the week before (a 1,224% increase).
While the precise causes of spina bifida are unknown, a number of
factors including low folic acid levels before and in the early
weeks of pregnancy and a family history of the condition are
known to increase the risk of it developing.
The NHS advises pregnant women – particular those with a family
history of spina bifida – to take folic acid supplements before
and during the beginning of their pregnancy.
Unlike in the 1970s when the episode is set, spina bifida can now
be diagnosed during a mid-pregnancy anomaly scan which happens
between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy.
Many people with spina bifida can live independent and fulfilling
lives with the condition, managed through a combination of
medication and therapies.
People suffering from the condition can also access a range of
support on the NHS including physiotherapy, advice from an
occupational therapist, as well as surgery to help repair the
spine.
Professor Simon Kenny, NHS England National Clinical
Director for Children and Young People, said: “Spina
bifida is a serious condition that can have a big impact on
people's health and lives.
“The care available for children born with spina bifida has
transformed massively since the 1970s, with significant advances
in foetal, orthopaedic, spinal and neurosurgery helping to hugely
improve children's lives and opportunities.
“Better awareness of the factors that reduce the risk of babies
developing the condition – such as taking folic acid supplement
before and during pregnancy - is vital in helping pregnant women
take life changing preventative action for their child.
“Storylines in programmes like Call the Midwife are powerful in
spreading awareness and helping prevention – and of course the
NHS website is always there to give clear, factual advice to
anyone who wants to find out more about these conditions.”
Heidi Thomas, executive producer and writer of Call the
Midwife said: “Everyone at Call the Midwife was very
moved to hear that Baby June's story has provoked such interest.
She received her diagnosis of spina bifida in 1970, and although
times change, concerns around the condition remain the
same.
“We often feature challenging and emotional medical issues on the
show, and are delighted when our audiences go straight to trusted
sources, such as the NHS website, for further information.
“Our own postbag has been enormous this week, with fans of the
show writing in to share their own experience of spina bifida,
and thank us for telling June's story. It is an absolute
privilege to be able to educate, entertain and connect with
people in this way."
, Minister for Patient
Safety, Women's Health and Mental Health, said: “It is
brilliant to see Call the Midwife bringing this serious and often
preventable condition to people's attention, so people can seek
the advice they need to protect their baby.
“This government is taking action to protect mothers and babies,
including introducing a law to require flour to be fortified with
folic acid, helping prevent 200 cases of debilitating brain and
spine defects in babies every year.”
Gill Yaz, Head of Health at the spina bifida and
hydrocephalus charity Shine, said: 'It is always good to
see stories about people with spina bifida on popular television
programmes, and this episode of Call the Midwife encouraged many
of our adult members to share their reflections on their own
childhoods.
“Being set in 1970, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the
changes, both in society's attitudes to disabled babies, and
science, that have transformed the life chances of many babies
born today.
“The role of folic acid in helping reduce the chance of babies
being born with conditions such as spina bifida and anencephaly
when taken before conceiving, was not proven until 1991, and more
recently, foetal surgery is helping reduce the impact of spina
bifida for some babies.
“Shine has a wealth of information on our website, on living with
spina bifida, and lowering the chances of having a baby affected
by spina bifida or anencephaly.”
