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Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Folate use in women with epilepsy: predictors of adherence in a specialized tertiary outclinic
Valmir Passarelli1, Nathália Stela Visoná de Figueiredo1, Débora Bartzen Moraes Angst1
1Department of Neurology, Hospital Santa Marcelina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Purpose Of The Study:
The aims of this study were to determine the percentage of women with epilepsy (WWE) taking folic acid (FA) in an outpatient epilepsy tertiary hospital at São Paulo, Brazil, and to identify the possible predictors of adherence.
Method:
Five hundred seventy-six medical records of patients followed in our service were reviewed. Sixty-six WWE using antiepileptic drugs with age between 16 and 52, sexually active but not in menopausal period, not pregnant, and not sterilized or with vasectomized partners underwent direct interviews with a prestructured questionnaire. Logistic regression with clinical and demographic variables using a stepwise method was performed to identify predictable variables of folate use.
Results:
We found 42.40% of FA intake. Hormonal contraceptive method use was an independent variable negatively associated with adherence to folate. Additionally, educational level was an independent variable positively associated with adherence to folate in WWE above 35years of age.
Conclusion:
We found low folate adherence. Improved planning pre-conception for WWE should improve rates of effective folate supplementation.
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