scholarly journals Folate status in women of reproductive age as basis of neural tube defect risk assessment

2017 ◽  
Vol 1414 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn B. Bailey ◽  
Dorothy B. Hausman
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defect ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Folate Status

scholarly journals Inadequate Status and Low Awareness of Folate in Switzerland—A Call to Strengthen Public Health Measures to Ensure Sufficient Intakes

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3729
Author(s):  
Isabelle Herter-Aeberli ◽  
Nina Wehrli ◽  
Kurt Bärlocher ◽  
Maria Andersson ◽  
Janice Sych
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Folate Concentration ◽  
Folate Status

Background: Folate plays an essential role in the prevention of neural tube defects, yet little is known about the folate status of women of reproductive age or to what degree the general population is aware of the importance of folate in early-life development. We aimed to determine folate status in women of reproductive age and pregnant women in Switzerland, and to assess folate awareness in the Swiss population. Methods: In a convenience sample of 171 women of reproductive age and 177 pregnant women throughout Switzerland, we measured red blood cell (RBC) folate concentration. In a second convenience sample (n = 784, men and women) we assessed folate knowledge with an online survey. Results: RBC folate concentration (median interquartile range) was 442 (366, 564) nmol/L in women of reproductive age and 873 (677, 1177) nmol/L in pregnant women. Folate deficiency (RBC folate <340 nmol/L) was found in 19.9% of women of reproductive age and 2.8% of pregnant women, while 91.8% of women of reproductive age and 52.0% of pregnant women showed folate concentrations indicating an elevated risk of neural tube defects (RBC folate <906 nmol/L). The online survey showed that a high proportion (≥88%) of participants were aware of folate’s role in neural tube defect (NTD) prevention and fetal development, yet knowledge about dietary sources and national recommendations of folate supplementation when planning pregnancy were limited. Conclusion: The high prevalence of folate inadequacy in Swiss women suggests an elevated risk of neural tube defects and calls for urgent measures to increase folate intakes.

scholarly journals Anemia and Vitamin B12 and Folate Status in Women of Reproductive Age in Southern India (P10-101-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Finkelstein ◽  
Amy Fothergill ◽  
Christina Johnson ◽  
Heather Guetterman ◽  
Beena Bose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Southern India ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Total Vitamin ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Folate Status ◽  
Defect Prevention ◽  
Study Population

Abstract Objectives To conduct a biomarker survey to examine the anemia burden and vitamin B12 and folate status in women of reproductive age as part of an ongoing periconceptional surveillance program in Southern India. Methods Participants were women of reproductive age (15–40 y) who were not pregnant or lactating and resided in households within the 50 km2 catchment area of our community-based research site in Southern India. Venous blood samples were collected at enrollment (n = 813), and whole blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin using an automated Coulter counter. Plasma, serum, and red blood cells (RBC) were separated by centrifugation, processed, and stored <-80ºC until analysis. Total vitamin B12 was measured via chemiluminescence, and erythrocyte and serum folate concentrations were measured using the World Health Organization-recommended microbiological assay and chemiluminescence in a pilot sub-sample (n = 75) at our laboratory at St. John's Research Institute in Bangalore, India. Anemia and severe anemia were defined as hemoglobin <12.0 g/dL and <8.0 g/dL, respectively. Vitamin B12 deficiency and insufficiency were defined as total vitamin B12 < 148.0 pmol/L and <221.0 pmol/L, respectively. Folate insufficiency was defined as RBC folate <748.0 nmol/L the recommended calibrator adjusted equivalent of the optimal neural tube defect prevention threshold. Results A total of 39.1% of women in the overall study population were anemic and 2.7% had severe anemia. In the biomarker sub-sample, 18.9% of women were vitamin B12 deficient and 55.4% were vitamin B12 insufficient. Average RBC folate concentration was 486 (standard deviation: 227) nmol/L and the prevalence of RBC folate insufficiency, which is below the threshold for optimal neural tube defect prevention, was 83%. Conclusions The substantial burden of anemia, as well as vitamin B12 and folate insufficiency in this pilot study population, suggest an opportunity for prevention of neural tube defects and anemia. Findings from the biomarker survey will inform the development of a randomized efficacy trial for the prevention of anemia and birth defects in Southern India. Funding Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ILSI North America Future Leader Grant AF was supported by the National Institutes of Health #5 T32 HD087137

Exposure and Risk Assessment of Hg, Cd, As, Tl, Se, and Mo in Women of Reproductive Age Using Urinary Biomonitoring

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Coscollà ◽  
Alfredo Sánchez ◽  
Francisca Corpas‐Burgos ◽  
Antonio López ◽  
Rosa Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age

Kinetics of myo-inositol loading in women of reproductive age

2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal M.W. Groenen ◽  
Hans M.W.M. Merkus ◽  
Fred C.G.J. Sweep ◽  
Ron A. Wevers ◽  
Fokje S.M. Janssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Plasma Insulin ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Serum Glucose ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Loading Test ◽  
Intracellular Signalling Pathway ◽  
Urinary Glucose

Background: Myo-inositol plays a key role in an important intracellular signalling pathway. A deranged myo-inositol metabolism has been associated with neural tube defects. A myo-inositol loading test was performed to investigate the kinetics in healthy women of reproductive age. Methods: Five healthy non-obese females {mean age (standard deviation: SD) 22·8 (2·2) years} were recruited at the University Medical Center Nijmegen. Blood samples were drawn fasting and at 20, 40, 60, 90, 180 and 270 min after ingestion of 100 mg/kg body weight of myo-inositol. Urine samples were collected before myo-inositol loading and at 180 and 270 min post-loading. Samples were analysed for serum myo-, epi- and scyllo-inositol and glucose concentrations by gas chromatography. Plasma insulin concentrations were determined by radio-immunoassay. Random intercept models were fitted to evaluate the data. Results: The estimated myo-inositol and scyllo-inositol concentrations both reached maximum values at 180 min post-loading, respectively: mean (SD) 101·5 (9·2) µmol/L and 1·09 (0·11) µmol/L. The estimated plasma insulin and serum glucose concentrations decreased slightly but significantly during the experiment: P < 0·0001 and P < 0·05, respectively. At 180 and 270 min post-loading, urinary myo-inositol concentrations were increased and urinary glucose concentrations were unchanged. Conclusions: Myo-inositol enters the bloodstream quickly after oral ingestion and a small amount of myo-inositol is converted to scyllo-inositol. The synthesis of glucose from myo-inositol could not be detected by serum measurements. These data can be used in further research into the association between myo-inositol and neural tube defects.

scholarly journals Consumption of Folic Acid–Fortified Bread Improves Folate Status in Women of Reproductive Age in Chile

2003 ◽  
Vol 133 (10) ◽  
pp. 3166-3169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Hertrampf ◽  
Fanny Cortés ◽  
J. David Erickson ◽  
Marisol Cayazzo ◽  
Wilma Freire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Folate Status

The Administration of a Multivitamin/Mineral Fortified Dairy Product Improves Folate Status and Reduces Plasma Homocysteine Concentration in Women of Reproductive Age

2004 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baró ◽  
Martínez-Férez ◽  
Rodríguez ◽  
Valero ◽  
Fonollá ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Dairy Product ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Homocysteine Concentration ◽  
Folate Status

Background and objectives: Folate deficiency during the periconceptional period is related to the occurrence and recurrence of neural tube defects. The aim of the study was to assess whether the administration of folic acid and other vitamins and minerals as a fortified dairy product (400 mug per day of folic acid) improves the folate status in women of reproductive age. Design and methods: Plasma and red blood cell folate, plasma vitamin E, B12, total plasma homocysteine, plasma lipid profile, and serum ferritin and transferrin levels were investigated in 31 healthy nonpregnant women receiving 500 mL/day of the fortified dairy product for eight weeks. Results: The women showed a significant increase in plasma levels of folate and vitamin B12 concentrations after four and eight weeks of supplementation. Moreover, we observed an increase in red blood cell folate concentration during the period of the study. Simultaneously, total plasma homocysteine levels decreased significantly during the intervention period. Conclusions: The regular consumption of a folic acid and other vitamins (mainly vitamins B6 and B12) and minerals in alpha fortified dairy product improves folate status and reduces total plasma homocysteine concentration in healthy women of childbearing age.

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