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[Folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects]
Insights
Prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida with folic acid. All women of childbearing age should supplement daily with 0.4 mg folic acid for optimal prevention.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health
- Nutritional Science
Context:
- Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, significantly impact quality of life.
- These severe birth defects are largely preventable through periconceptional folic acid intake.
- International recommendations advocate for widespread folic acid supplementation.
Purpose:
- To emphasize the critical role of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects.
- To advocate for a general population approach to folic acid supplementation in Switzerland.
- To recommend specific intake strategies for women of childbearing age.
Summary:
- 70-100% of neural tube defects are preventable with adequate periconceptional folic acid.
- Recommended intake includes a daily 0.4 mg folic acid supplement for women of childbearing age not using contraception.
- Fortification of cereal grain products with folic acid is also advised.
Impact:
- Widespread folic acid supplementation can drastically reduce the incidence of neural tube defects.
- General population supplementation is more effective than targeting only women with a history of affected pregnancies.
- Increased folic acid intake may offer additional health benefits, including reduced risk of cancer and atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Neural tube defects (spina bifida) imply a severe limitation of quality of life. 70 to 100% of these defects are preventable by additional intake of folic acid during the periconceptional period. In accordance with the recommendations of Anglo-Saxon and other authorities prevention of this grave malformation should be attempted not only after a first-affected child, but primarily in a general manner in Switzerland, too. All women of childbearing age not under contraceptives should be advised to consume a diet rich in folic acid and to take an additional daily dose of 0.4 mg folic acid as a monosubstance or with a multivitamin preparation. A supplement of folic acid to cereal grain products, mainly bread flours, is recommended. A generally elevated folic acid intake may have further beneficial effects, such as risk reduction for the occurrence of carcinoma and atherosclerosis.