Neural Tube Defects: A Two-Pronged Approach to Primary Prevention

It is generally agreed that neural tube defects (NTD) have a multifactorial etiology when genetic factors render the developing fetus susceptible to intrauterine environmental factors acting during the fourth week of gestation to interfere with the orderly closure of the neural tube.1 As there is little likelihood that anything can be done about the genetic background, primary prevention would therefore be dependent on eliminating these factors from the environment or avoiding them. My intention here is to enlarge on some aspects of primary prevention of NTD as outlined by Smithells in an earlier issue (Pediatrics 69:498, 1982).2 One environmental factor, poor maternal nutrition and, more particularly, folic acid deficiency seems now to have been identified, but there are almost certainly a number of others.

Download Full-text

The effect of folic acid deficiency on FGF pathway via Brachyury regulation in neural tube defects

The FASEB Journal ◽

10.1096/fj.201801536r ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 4688-4702 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shaoyan Chang ◽

Xiaolin Lu ◽

Shan Wang ◽

Zhigang Wang ◽

Junsheng Huo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Neural Tube ◽

Neural Tube Defects ◽

Folic Acid Deficiency ◽

Acid Deficiency

Download Full-text

The effect of folic acid deficiency on Mest/Peg1 in neural tube defects

International Journal of Neuroscience ◽

10.1080/00207454.2020.1750386 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Shaoyan Chang ◽

Jia Jing ◽

Shaofang Shangguan ◽

Baiyi Li ◽

Xiuying Yao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Neural Tube ◽

Neural Tube Defects ◽

Folic Acid Deficiency ◽

Acid Deficiency

Download Full-text

Awareness of Folic Acid Intake among Women of Childbearing Age in Ha’il region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i1631295 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 42-54

Author(s):

Farida Habib Khan Khan ◽

Shog K. Alahmed ◽

Wijdan S. Alsaad ◽

Ashwaq H. Alshammari

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Folic Acid ◽

Neural Tube ◽

Neural Tube Defects ◽

Folic Acid Deficiency ◽

Women Of Childbearing Age ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽

Acid Deficiency

Background: Folic acid deficiency is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies among women of childbearing-age. Folic acid is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin. Although the deficiency is easily corrected by administration of folic acid, but still the prevalence of folic acid deficiency is high. It can lead to neural tube defects (NTDs) in fetus, which are a major cause of severe disability and mortality among infant population, occurring in over one quarter of a million new-borns per year, worldwide. NTDs occur in the very early phase of pregnancy when the mother herself does not know that she is pregnant. This study has assessed awareness of women of childbearing age on folic acid i.e., timing of folic acid supplementation, different sources, symptoms of its deficiency, toxicity and its effect on fetus. Study was conducted in Ha’il region and its suburbs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the period between October 2020 and February 2021. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among 842 women aged between18 and 45 years using a close-ended questionnaire. Results: In total, Folic Acid was taken by just 23.87% of participants. Only 33% knew that Folic Acid deficiency causes neural tube defects in fetus. Further it was revealed that postgraduates had a significantly better knowledge on Folic Acid 0.000) than others. Similarly, those who belonged to household where total monthly income was 5000 Saudi Riyals or more had better awareness on Folic Acid than participants who belonged to low socioeconomic status ( 0.05). Conclusion: It’s concluded that in Ha’il and its suburb area, women of childbearing age do not possess adequate knowledge on Folic Acid. Neural tube defects in fetus due to folic acid deficiency were not known by a large majority of respondents. However, awareness has a strong association with educational level and socioeconomic status. Hence it is recommended that female literacy and female employment should be promoted, encouraged and supported in Kingdom in order to improve our health indicators.

Download Full-text

Altered GNAS imprinting due to folic acid deficiency contributes to poor embryo development and may lead to neural tube defects

Oncotarget ◽

10.18632/oncotarget.22731 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (67) ◽

pp. 110797-110810 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Li Wang ◽

Shaoyan Chang ◽

Zhen Wang ◽

Shan Wang ◽

Junsheng Huo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Embryo Development ◽

Neural Tube ◽

Neural Tube Defects ◽

Folic Acid Deficiency ◽

Acid Deficiency

Download Full-text

Folic acid awareness and usage among females at Saudi Electronic University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

SAGE Open Medicine ◽

10.1177/20503121211059682 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 205031212110596

Author(s):

Mohammed AL-Mohaithef ◽

Hadeel Alaslani ◽

Nargis Begum Javed ◽

Sriram Chandramohan

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Folic Acid ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

University Students ◽

Neural Tube ◽

Neural Tube Defects ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽

Health Sciences ◽

Folic Acid Deficiency

Objectives: This study evaluates awareness of folic acid and neural tube defects, use of folic acid and knowledge of folic acid usage among female university students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Jeddah branch of Saudi Electronic University. A total of 400 female students in the 19–45 years age group were contacted to participate in the study using a convenience sampling method. Eighty-eight students refused to participate, so 312 students were included in the study. Demographic characteristics of participants and their awareness, usage and knowledge of folic acid are presented as frequencies and percentages. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute crude odds ratios to show the association between demographic factors and knowledge of folic acid supplementation. A further adjusted odds ratio was calculated to control for other cofactors. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Overall, 81.1% (253/312) of respondents had heard of folic acid, 30.4% knew about neural tube defects, and 47.1% of respondents reported using folic acid supplements. Marriage was found to be associated with awareness of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.64 (1.01–6.91)). Health sciences specialization and experience of pregnancy were associated with the usage of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.46 (1.73–6.91) and adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 6.70 (3.09–14.53), respectively). A bachelor’s and above education level was found to be associated with knowledge of folic acid deficiency leading to neural tube defects (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.03 (1.17–3.52)), and health sciences specialization was found to be associated with knowledge of natural sources of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.33 (1.25–4.36)). Similarly, marriage was found to be associated with knowledge of the correct dosage of folic acid and timing of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 6.34 (3.50–11.48) and adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.45 (1.93–6.16), respectively). Experience of pregnancy was found to be an associated with good total knowledge of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.05 (1.65–5.63); p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The study findings highlight the lack of awareness among female university students about the importance of folic acid usage in the prevention of neural tube defects. There is a need for interventional programs in universities to create awareness.

Download Full-text