Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
03:19
Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
[Folic acid fortification of bread recommendable]
M C Cornel1, D J de Smit, L T W de Jong-van den Berg
1VU Medisch Centrum, afd. Klinische Genetica, sectie Community Genetics/EMGO Instituut, Amsterdam. mc.cornel@vumc.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|August 21, 2008
Summary
Folic acid supplementation reduced neural tube defects, but only slightly. The Dutch Health Council now considers bread fortification, despite concerns about potential side effects lacking scientific evidence.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health Nutrition
- Developmental Pediatrics
Context:
- Folic acid supplementation was recommended in the Netherlands to prevent foetal neural tube defects.
- The recommendation resulted in only a minor decrease in the prevalence of neural tube defects.
- The Dutch Health Council is considering mandatory folic acid fortification of bread.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of folic acid supplementation in preventing foetal neural tube defects.
- To inform policy decisions regarding folic acid fortification in the Netherlands.
- To address uncertainties surrounding potential adverse effects of increased folic acid intake.
Summary:
- Periconceptional folic acid use demonstrated protection against foetal neural tube defects.
- The observed decrease in prevalence following supplementation recommendations was minimal.
- Scientific evidence for potential adverse effects in children remains inconclusive, complicating policy-making.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for more effective strategies to prevent neural tube defects.
- Underscores the complexities in public health policy due to incomplete scientific evidence.
- Suggests a potential shift towards food fortification as a public health intervention.
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