Folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects

Abstract

The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses the US Public Health Service (USPHS) recommendation that all women capable of becoming pregnant consume 400 g of folic acid daily to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). Studies have demonstrated that pericon-ceptional folic acid supplementation can prevent 50% or more of NTDs such as spina bifida and anencephaly. For women who have previously had an NTD-affected pregnancy , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends increasing the intake of folic acid to 4000 g per day beginning at least 1 month before conception and continuing through the first trimester. Implementation of these recommendations is essential for the primary prevention of these serious and disabling birth defects. Because fewer than 1 in 3 women consume the amount of folic acid recommended by the USPHS, the Academy notes that the prevention of NTDs depends on an urgent and effective campaign to close this prevention gap.

Factors associated with folic acid knowledge and intake among pregnant women in Sudan

“…It has been reported that more than 300 000 cases of neural tube defects occur worldwide each year, and many are in low-income countries (6). While the incidence of neural tube defects is falling in the United States of America (USA) and Western Europe, these congenital abnormalities remain a significant health problem in Africa (6).…”

“…While the incidence of neural tube defects is falling in the United States of America (USA) and Western Europe, these congenital abnormalities remain a significant health problem in Africa (6).…”

Genetic Study of 12 SNPs involved in 11 Folate Metabolism Genes and Neural Tube Defects in Suzhou Children

“…studies showed that 50% to 85% of NTDs can be prevented if women consume a folic acid-containing supplement before and during the early weeks of pregnancy in addition to dietary folate [1].…”

“…Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of serious birth defects that affect the developing nervous system and include anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele [1]. NTDs are the second most common of birth defects, which are preventable and are significant causes of infant death and childhood disability [1,2].…”

“…NTDs are the second most common of birth defects, which are preventable and are significant causes of infant death and childhood disability [1,2]. It is estimated that there are more than 300,000 NTDs worldwide each year, many of these occurring in low-resource countries [3].…”