| "One of the most exciting medical
findings of the last part of the 20th century is that
folic acid, a simple, widely available, water-soluble
vitamin can prevent spina bifida and anencephaly. Not
since the rubella vaccine became available 30 years
ago have we had a comparable opportunity for primary
prevention of such common and serious birth defects." |
| |
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G. Oakley, MD, JAMA, March 10, 1993 |
In North Carolina, about 200 pregnancies
per year are affected by a neural tube defect. Over half
of the babies will never be born. The others will be born
with some degree of disability-- sometimes exceptionally
severe. Taking a multivitamin containing 400 micrograms
of folic acid before and in the earliest stages of pregnancy
can reduce up to 70% of neural tube defects. Recent studies
show that periconceptional multivitamin use may also reduce
the risk of other major birth defects, such as orofacial
clefts, conotruncal heart defects and urinary defects. In
addition, folic acid may help reduce the risk for heart
disease, stroke, and colon cancer.
As a health professional,
you are an important motivator to change patient behavior.
Studies have shown that a simple recommendation from a health
professional is a major reason why women take supplements.
Patients value the opinion of their healthcare provider.
Tell your patients, even
those not planning a pregnancy, to take a multivitamin with
folic acid daily.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
> What
is folic acid?
> What
is the current folic acid recommendation?
> What
do women know about folic acid?
> What
are neural tube defects (NTDs) and how are they caused?
> Who
is at-risk for an NTD pregnancy?
> What
is NC's NTD rate?
> What
is the cost of NTDs?
> Where
can I get patient education materials?
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