The intention

Worldwide, every year between 200.000 and 300.000 babies with a neural tube defect (NBD) born. Taking folic acid before pregnancy has proven effect on the occurrence of NBD. Other congenital conditions that may be preventable (such as heart defects, limb abnormalities, malformations of the urinary system, palate-, lip- and jaw gap, and Down syndrome), occur in even greater numbers. The purpose of the Folic Acid Extra (FzE) research was to discover the added effect of a higher dose of folic acid on the prevention of congenital disease compared to the current recommended amount around conception, and of longer folic acid use on the prevention of preterm birth and preeclampsia.

The approach

The goal was to 5000 recruit women with a desire to have children within two years.

The result

However, the intensive efforts have resulted in 336 participants in about one year. That is 1% of the 35.000 emailed women and 9% of the subgroup of women who expect to conceive within a year.

The lessons

A larger intake for preconception intervention research is certainly possible (according to calculations and additional research) if additional resources are made available, namely:

  1. A longer time frame to, with experience of the various recruitment measures, to realize a maximum influx per time unit;
  2. Budget as an incentive/appreciation for care providers to adapt optimally (can) to make;
  3. More space (from the Medical Ethics Review Committee) to increase the attention for participation through stimulating promotion via formal and informal social media;
  4. A smoother approval process, adjustment and on-hold position and go-nogo decide moments (enabling recruitment campaigns to be planned and executed on an ongoing basis).

OTHER BRILLIANT FAILURES

Who finances lifestyle in cardiac rehabilitation?

Beware of the chicken-egg problem. When parties are excited, but first ask for proof, check carefully whether you have the means to provide that burden of proof. And projects aimed at prevention are always difficult, [...]

Why failure is an option…

Contact us for a workshop or lecture

Or call Paul Iske +31 6 54 62 61 60 / Bas Ruyssenaars +31 6 14 21 33 47