Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011:8:2.
Epub 2011 Aug 10.

Folic acid and human reproduction-ten important issues for clinicians

Beth Dunlap  1 , Kantha Shelke, Shala A Salem, Louis G Keith
Affiliations

Folic acid and human reproduction-ten important issues for clinicians

Beth Dunlap et al. J Exp Clin Assist Reprod. 2011.

Abstract

This article presents data on the current best evidence-based clinical practices and controversies surrounding folic acid supplementation/fortification for the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs) during early pregnancy. Formatted as a series of ten clinical questions, answers and extensive discussion are provided for each point. We assess the history and evidence behind supplementation and fortification, racial/ethnic disparities in NTDs on a global scale, and present information on risk factors for NTDs other than dietary folic acid deficiency. Also discussed are public health challenges, including disparities in NTD rates, population-wide monitoring of NTDs, and tracking safety data in the post-fortification era. Emerging data are also reviewed regarding the role folic acid may play in malignant processes, cardiovascular disease, male fertility, and other medical conditions.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Lumley J, Watson L, Watson M, Bower C. Periconceptional supplementation with folate and/or multivitamins for preventing neural tube defects. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;(3):CD001056. - PubMed
    1. Botto LD, Moore CA, Khoury MJ, Erickson JD. Neural-tube defects. N Engl J Med. 1999 Nov 11;341(20):1509–1519. - PubMed
    1. NCHS - Health E Stats - Trends in Spina Bifida and Anencephalus in the United States, 1991–2005 [Internet] [cited 2009 Aug 23] Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/spine_anen.htm.
    1. Mitchell LE, Adzick NS, Melchionne J, Pasquariello PS, Sutton LN, Whitehead AS. Spina bifida. Lancet. 2004 Nov 20;364(9448):1885–1895. - PubMed
    1. Budhiraja S, Dahiya P, Ghei M, Gathwala G. Neural-tube defect in dizygotic twins. Ped Surg Intl. 2002 Mar 8;18(2):211–212. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources