Birth Defects Prevention: Realizing the Full Potential of Folic Acid

Handout: Program Notes

Abbreviations

  • WIC - Women, Infants and Children
  • BRFS - Behavioral Risk Factor Survey
  • NTD - Neural tube defect

Pregnancy Risk

  • Previous NTD- pregnancy
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Some medicines, e.g. epilepsy drugs
  • Obesity
  • High temperatures in early pregnancy e.g. prolonged fever, using hot tubs and saunas
  • Hispanic ethnicity

Folic Acid Requirements

  • 400 micrograms per day
  • 1 month before pregnancy & through first 3 months

NTD Recurrence Prevention

  • 4 mg folic acid per day