scholarly journals Is there more to folates than neural-tube defects?

2003 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 591-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Finglas ◽  
Anthony J. A. Wright ◽  
Caroline A. Wolfe ◽  
David J. Hart ◽  
Dawn M. Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Common Gene ◽  
Folate Status ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Precision And Accuracy ◽  
Folate Bioavailability ◽  
B Vitamin

The purpose of the present paper is to review our current understanding of the chemistry and biochemistry of folic acid and related folates, and to discuss their impact on public health beyond that already established in relation to neural-tube defects. Our understanding of the fascinating world of folates and C1metabolism, and their role in health and disease, has come a long way since the discovery of the B-vitamin folic acid by Wills (1931), and its first isolation by Mitchellet al. (1941). However, there is still much to do in perfecting methods for the measurement of folate bioavailability, and status, with a high extent of precision and accuracy. Currently, examination of the relationships between common gene polymorphisms involved in C1metabolism and folate bioavailability and folate status, morbidity, mortality and longevity is evaluated as a series of individual associations. However, in the future, examination of the concurrent effects of such common gene polymorphisms may be more beneficial.

Folate and Prevention of Neural Tube Defects: New Insights from a Bayesian Model

2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 109-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Ströhle ◽  
Torsten Bohn
Keyword(s):  
Medical Journal ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
British Medical Journal ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Bayesian Model ◽  
Congenital Malformations ◽  
Insufficient Data ◽  
Folate Status

Abstract. Maternal folate status before and during pregnancy influences a woman’s risk of having a pregnancy affected by congenital malformations of the neural tube (neural tube defects, NTD). For NTD prevention, it is recommended that women use periconceptional supplementation of folic acid. However, the recommended dose varies considerably (400 - 800 µg folic acid/day). Insufficient data exists on the relation between folate status and the risk of NTD. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal provides evidence for a generalizable dose-response relation between folate status and risk of NTD. The lowest risk of having a child with NTD was related to red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations of ≥ 1000 nmol/L.

scholarly journals Developing a Global Strategy for the Control of Folate Deficiency and Folic Acid Responsive Neural Tube Defects in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (P10-107-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Homero Martinez ◽  
Jessica Poulin ◽  
Aliki Weakland ◽  
Lynn Bailey ◽  
Rajesh Mehta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Folate Deficiency ◽  
Folate Status ◽  
Task Team ◽  
Global Action ◽  
Global Stakeholders ◽  
Global Action Plan

Abstract Objectives To develop a global action plan for the control of folate deficiency and folic acid responsive neural tube defects (anencephaly and spina bifida) Methods • Establish a multi- and inter-disciplinary group to develop a global action plan for folate-sensitive NTD prevention • Ensure regional lab capacity exists to assess folate status applying a harmonized microbiologic assay (MBA) to measure red blood cell (RBC) folate, establishing a global network of regional laboratories coordinated by an umbrella organization • Promote improvements of folate status in women of reproductive age (WRA) in LMIC, engaging a wide variety of national and global stakeholders • Address key knowledge gaps related to the prevention of folate sensitive NTDs • Improve knowledge availability and sharing amongst global stakeholders in NTD prevention • Communicate and share the work of the Folate Task Team Results • A standing Folate Task Team comprised of a 2-member Secretariat, a 10-member Expert Advisory Group, 4 Ex-Officio members, and 4 “As Needed” advisors (see Fig. 1) • Identification of an initial list of 12 global stakeholders and partner organizations • Five resource laboratories have been trained at the Division of Laboratory Sciences - CDC, including labs in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Tanzania, and Pakistan • A training video supported by a manual and mini posters to illustrate specific activities of the assay has been produced by CDC. • A landscaping analysis has identified countries that have mandatory/voluntary food fortification practices, information on folate status in the population, burden of NTDs, and consumption patterns of fortified foods • Identification of alternative foods/food vehicles likely to be fortified to reach at-risk segments of WRA • Dissemination activities are shared at https://www.nutritionintl.org/what-we-do/nteam/folate-task-team/ Conclusions • The estimated global prevalence of NTD-affected pregnancies is estimated to be 260,100 in 2015 and has a significant emotional and economic impact on families and society, while contributing to the loss of human potential for countries • The global action provides a clear path forward to help direct and prioritize investments, advance resource mobilization, and garner the political will to accelerate NTD prevention in LMIC Funding Sources The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

A Public Health Success Story: Folic Acid Fortification and Supplementation for Prevention of Neural Tube Defects

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Longerich ◽  
Roy West ◽  
Ed Randell ◽  
Marian Crowley ◽  
Shiliang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Success Story ◽  
Folic Acid Fortification

scholarly journals Knowledge and intake of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects among pregnant women in urban China: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingming Cui ◽  
Xiao-Lin Lu ◽  
Yan-Yu Lyu ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Xiao-Lu Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Unplanned Pregnancy ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background The prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in China declined during 2000–2017 with periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation, which is effective in reducing the risk of birth defects. We aimed to assess the knowledge and actual use of FA among Chinese pregnant women and to explore factors associated with FA use before pregnancy. Methods All data were collected in face-to-face interviews during health visits among pregnant women. We collected information about knowledge and use of FA supplements and demographic, socioeconomic, and health status. One maternity and childcare hospital was chosen in each of four cities: Beijing, Huaibei, Kunming, and Haikou. In total, 435 pregnant women were randomly recruited for interviews conducted from June to December 2016. Results A total of 428 pregnant women were included in this survey. Of these, 82.0% (351/428) knew that FA can prevent NTDs, and 75.9% (325/428) knew the correct time to take FA. Overall, 65.9% (282/428) of women knew both that FA can prevent NTDs and the recommended time to take FA before pregnancy. Approximately 95.1% (407/428) of women reported having ever taken FA, only 46.3% (198/428) had begun to take FA supplementation before conception, and 64.5% (109/169) of women from rural areas failed to take FA before pregnancy. Women living in northern China (odds ratio [OR] = 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–2.77), those with unplanned pregnancy (OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.30–3.04), and highly educated women (OR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.45–3.88) were more likely to know about FA. Women who were homemakers (OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.21–3.11) and had unplanned pregnancy (OR = 6.18, 95% CI 4.01–9.53) were less likely to begin taking FA before pregnancy. Conclusions Our survey showed that most pregnant women knew about FA. Although preconception intake of FA can help to reduce NTDs, improving the rate of FA intake before pregnancy is needed in urban areas of China, especially among homemakers and women from rural areas or with unplanned pregnancy. Campaigns are needed to increase awareness about FA and FA use before pregnancy among rural women, homemakers, and those with unplanned pregnancy and lower education levels.

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