Folic acid and neural-tube defects - time for action?
Article Abstract:
Folic acid may play an important role in preventing neural-tube defects in a developing fetus. A neural-tube defect is a birth defect such as spina bifida that is caused by abnormal development of the brain or the spinal cord during gestation. A research study found that the use of a multivitamin supplement including folic acid at the time of conception may decrease the risk of a first occurrence of a neural tube-defect. The role of folic acid in preventing neural-tube defects has been examined since the late 1960s. One study found that folic acid may prevent recurrent neural-tube defects in women who had already had an abnormal pregnancy. Folic acid may act alone or in combination with other vitamins in the development of the brain and spinal cord. The ideal dosage of folic acid to prevent neural-tube defects is not known. Women considering pregnancy might consider increasing their daily intake of folic acid by 400 micrograms to prevent neural-tube defects.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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Prevention of the first occurrence of neural-tube defects by periconceptional vitamin supplementation
Article Abstract:
Pregnant women who took a vitamin supplement at the time of conception may decrease their risk of a first occurrence of a neural-tube defect. A neural-tube defect is a birth defect characterized by abnormal development of the brain or spinal cord. Among 4,156 pregnant women, 2,104 received a vitamin supplement and 2,052 received a trace-element supplement each day starting at least a month before conception. Birth defects occurred among 28 infants born to women who received a vitamin supplement, compared with 47 infants born to women who received a trace element supplement. None of the infants born to women in the vitamin supplement group had a neural tube defect, compared with six infants born to women in the trace element group. Treatment with a multivitamin or a folic acid supplement at the time of conception may also prevent recurrent neural tube defects in women who have already given birth to an infant with this type of abnormality.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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The effect of folic acid fortification on plasma folate and total homocysteine concentrations
Article Abstract:
An FDA regulation requiring all grain products to be fortified with folic acid appears to have been successful. Researchers measured folic acid and homocysteine levels in 756 people in the Framingham Offspring Study who were examined before the regulation took effect in 1996 and 350 who were examined after the regulation took effect. The average folic acid concentration in blood increased from 4.6 nanograms per milliliter to 10 over this time period. Conversely, blood levels of homocysteine fell from an average of 10 micromoles per liter to 9.4. Elevated homocysteine levels are a risk factor for heart disease.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1999
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