Folic acid supplementation and neural tube defect recurrence prevention

2007 ◽  
Vol 79 (11) ◽  
pp. 737-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D. Grosse ◽  
Julianne S. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defect ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Recurrence Prevention

Drug and Environmental Factors Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Part II: Improvement with Folic Acid

1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 947-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale P Lewis ◽  
Don C Van Dyke ◽  
Phyllis J Stumbo ◽  
Mary J Berg
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defect ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Effective Dosage ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive review of periconceptional folic acid supplementation and factors affecting folate supplementation trials. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search was conducted through December 1997. Additional sources were obtained from Current Contents and citations from the references obtained. Search terms included folate, folic acid, neural tube defect, spina bifida, and anencephaly. STUDY SELECTION: Relevant animal and human studies examining the effects of folate were reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: Data collected included: type of study, folate dosing, dietary folate intake, serum and red blood cell folate concentrations, type of defect(s) studied, vitamin usage, parental risk factors, factors affecting trial results. DATA SYNTHESIS: Nine key factors have been identified that affect outcomes of folic acid supplementation trials. Daily doses of 0.8 mg decreased the occurrence and doses of 4 mg decreased the recurrence of neural tube defects in randomized clinical trials. Since lower folic acid doses were effective in nonrandomized trials, research is needed to determine the lowest effective dosage. Other benefits involving pregnancy outcome are suggested. CONCLUSIONS: Women of childbearing age should take a daily folic acid supplement to reduce the risk of pregnancies resulting in infants with a neural tube defect and other potential adverse pregnancy outcomes. Further health benefits from folic acid supplementation are reviewed in Part III of this series.

scholarly journals The prevention of neural tube defects by folic acid supplementation

Curationis ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. W. Hitzeroth
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Spina Bifida ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Neural Tube Defect ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Congenital Abnormalities ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Acid Supplementation

Neural tube defects, in particular spina bifida and anencephaly, are serious and relatively common congenital abnormalities worldwide. They also occur in South Africa and affect all population groups to varying degrees. The overall incidence in South Africa is approximately 1-2 per 1000 newborns. Higher incidences, up to 6 per 1000 newborns have been recorded in certain parts, especially in some rural areas of the country. In total as many as 1500 newborns could be affected by a neural tube defect each year. The precise aetiology of neural tube defects is still unknown.

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