BACKGROUND The prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in northern China remains high after 10 years since periconceptional supplementation with folic acid has been known to be effective in reducing the risk of NTDs. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to characterize folic acid awareness and use and to examine the association between folic acid supplementation with blood folate conc...

Some countries have introduced mandatory folic acid fortification, whereas others support periconceptional supplementation of women in childbearing age. Several European countries are considering whether to adopt a fortification policy. Projections of the possible beneficial effects of increased folic acid intake assume that the measure will result in a considerable reduction in neural-tube def...

A randomised trial was initiated in Ireland in 1981 to determine if periconceptional supplementation with either folic acid alone or a multivitamin preparation alone could reduce the recurrence risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in women with a previously affected pregnancy from 5.0% to 1.0% or less. The trial was concluded before the initial target number of study subjects was reached and with...

Periconceptional supplementation with folic acid has been shown to decrease the occurrence of neural tube defects (anencephaly, encephalocele and spina bifida). Earlier studies , conducted worldwide to assess patient’s knowledge regarding periconceptional use of folic acid showed that the overall knowledge about its use among pregnant mothers was low. A cross-sectional study was conducted to as...

BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common birth defects in the United States. In 1996, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended that all women planning a pregnancy or capable of conception take a supplement containing folic acid to reduce the risk for NTDs. PURPOSE To search for new evidence published since 1996 on the benefits and harms of folic acid...

BACKGROUND Despite their important role in cognitive function, the value of B vitamin supplementation is unknown. A systematic review of the effect of pyridoxine hydrochloride (hereinafter "vitamin B(6)"), cyanocobalamin or hydroxycobalamin (hereinafter "vitamin B(12)"), and folic acid supplementation on cognitive function was performed. METHODS Literature search conducted in MEDLINE with sup...

Objective: To evaluate the awareness of need for folic acid supplementation and also actual intake during periconceptional period to prevent neural tube defects.Methods: The study involved a questionnaire survey conducted among 100 women attended antenatal visit in Department Obstetrics Gynecology, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka. data were collected over March 2022 December 2022...

BACKGROUND Pregnancy Associated Osteoporosis (PAO) can lead to serious difficulties such as fragility fractures, elongated back pain and height loss in affected women. Soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B ligand (sRANKL) to Osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio is chosen as a bone metabolism equation in many bone diseases characterized by bone resorption, such as post-menopausal osteoporo...

BACKGROUND Reduced intake of micronutrients during pregnancy exposes women to nutritional deficiencies and may affect fetal growth. We conducted a systematic review to examine the efficacy of prenatal supplementation with multimicronutrients on pregnancy outcomes. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library for relevant articles published in English up to December 200...

OBJECTIVE To summarize the recommendations on folate intake and folic acid supplementation and fortification in the periconceptional period, aimed at prevention of neural tube defects (NTD), provided by official health organizations in different countries worldwide and WHO. DESIGN Information on recommendations for folate and folic acid intake in the periconceptional period was gathered from ...