UNSW Embryo- Development- Folic Acid and Neural Tube DefectsSelected References |
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Note: A Selected List of References for Folic Acid and Neural Tube Defects from PubMed April 1999 back. |
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Internet access computers will be able to get abstract directly from PubMed (when available) by clicking Author's name below. If the Journal is available online then this is also listed at the end of the Reference citation. |
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Articles
Reviews
- Folic acid for prevention of
neural tube defects: pediatric anticipatory guidance.
Morrow JD, Kelsey K J Pediatr Health Care 1998 Mar-Apr;12(2):55-9- The incidence of neural tube defects including myelomeningocele, which is one of the most common causes of infant and childhood disability, can be substantially reduced by folic acid supplementation to the diet of women before and during the early stages of pregnancy. All females of childbearing age should be taking folic acid supplements of 0.4 mg/day (400 micrograms/day) and consuming a diet rich in folate. Because many pregnancies are unplanned, supplementation should not await plans for pregnancy. Because pediatric nurse practitioners are in frequent contact with both adolescent patients and patients whose mothers are of childbearing age, and because pediatric nurse practitioners have an interest in preventing neural tube defects in future pediatric patients, they are in a good position to provide the necessary anticipatory guidance regarding the critical need for adequate folic acid intake by females of childbearing age. This article discusses and includes guidelines for providing this anticipatory guidance.
- Folic acid in the prevention of
birth defects.
Allen WP Curr Opin Pediatr 1996 Dec;8(6):630-4- Maternal use of folic acid prior to conception reduces the risk for neural tube defects. In addition, other birth defects may be prevented by the periconceptional use of folic acid. Homocysteine-methionine metabolism appears to be altered in women with pregnancies affected by neural tube defects; however, the specific mechanisms of causation are not yet known. Fortification of flour with folic acid has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, although at a level that still requires folic acid supplementation as recommended by the Public Health Service for all women of childbearing age to prevent neural tube defects.
- Preventing neural tube
defects: the importance of periconceptional folic acid
supplements.
Locksmith GJ, Duff P Obstet Gynecol 1998 Jun;91(6):1027-34 locksmgj@obgyn.med.ufl.edu- OBJECTIVE: To inform the obstetrician-gynecologist of recent scientific evidence regarding the use of supplemental folic acid for prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs). DATA SOURCES: We selected English language articles via MEDLINE published from January 1990 through February 1997, using the search terms "folic acid" and "neural tube defect." Additional sources were identified through cross-referencing and through searching selected journals published from March through October 1997. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Articles were selected on the basis of their relevance to the relationship between folate intake and NTD incidence, mechanisms of folate responsive NTD formation, and folate provision strategy. We referenced 55 papers in total. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: The majority of evidence demonstrates a decreased incidence of NTDs with increased folic acid consumption. The most convincing trials were performed in Europe among women who were planning pregnancy by using multivitamin or folic acid supplements. Some studies suggest that the protective effect of folate is explained, in many cases, not through correction of dietary deficiencies, but through correction of metabolic defects. Other evidence implies that it reduces NTDs by causing abortion of affected conceptuses. Supplemental folic acid tablets are the most proven means of improving an individual's folate status, but ensuring compliance with a strategy using vitamin tablets is problematic. CONCLUSION: Women of reproductive age should be advised to take multivitamin supplements containing 0.4 mg folic acid daily. Women with previously affected offspring who intend to become pregnant should take daily supplementation containing 4 mg of folic acid in the periconceptional period to reduce the risk of recurrence.