scholarly journals The Protective Effect of Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation on Childhood Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Case-control Studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan Rosmawati Wan Ismail ◽  
Raudah Abdul Rahman ◽  
Nur Ashiqin Abd Rahman ◽  
Azman Atil ◽  
Azmawati Mohammed Nawi
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 330-330
Author(s):  
Yuanxing Li ◽  
Aimin Yang ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Zhilian Wang ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Cervical cancer remains a common public health problem, despite its reduced morbidity and mortality. Exploring diverse prevention and treatment methods is essential. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between folic acid intake and status and the risk of cervical cancer, and discuss the feasibility of folic acid supplement. Methods We identified 369 articles via Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Springer, up to January 2019. Inclusion criteria were case-control study or RCT; folate intake or level was determined; outcomes included CIN and/or cervical cancer; correlations between folate and CIN/cervical cancer were studied; original data were obtained or calculated. We also performed these analyses within groups of studies defined by the following design characteristics: disease outcome (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia CIN, cervical cancer CC), samples resource (serum, plasma, red blood cell, diet record), location (European and American countries, Asian countries). All statistical calculations were performed using R Project software. Results Twenty-two case-control studies and four RCTs were included in the meta- analysis. From 22 case-control studies, there was a strong correlation between folate deficiency and risk of CIN or cancer (OR = 1.46, 95% CI [1.30, 1.63]). The overall analysis results were significantly heterogeneous (I2 = 49%, P < 0.01). The location is the main source of heterogeneity. For Asian regions, folate deficiency is a risk factor for CIN and CC (OR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.47, 2.66]; OR = 2.07, 95% CI [1.43, 3.76], respectively); however, for European and American regions, folate deficiency is only associated with CIN, OR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.01, 1.34]. From 4 RCT studies, the results showed that there was no significant correlation between folic acid supplementation and CIN outcome, RR = 1.17, 95% CI [0.90, 1.51]. Conclusions The overall study showed that folate deficiency significantly increased the risk of CIN and cervical cancer. However, the meta-analysis of 4 RCTs did not show the benefit of folic acid supplementation for CIN regression, probably due to the lack of RCTs, large time span, different folic acid supplementation doses, and different judging criteria of CIN. Further research is needed. Funding Sources N/A.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249789
Author(s):  
Meseret Belete Fite ◽  
Kedir Teji Roba ◽  
Lemessa Oljira ◽  
Abera Kenay Tura ◽  
Tesfaye Assebe Yadeta

Background Anemia is one of the world’s leading cause of disability and the most serious global public health issues. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted very carefully in order to give up the pooled compliance of Iron and Folic-Acid Supplementation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods To conduct this brief systematic review and meta-analysis, a related literature search was done from different sources, PubMed Medline and Google Scholar Journals. Then IFA Supplementation related searching engine was used to make the work more meaningful and intensive. Moreover, we used modified Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale for cross sectional studies to assess the quality of the study in terms of their inclusion. Then, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was followed to carry out the work in a carful manner. Finally, the pooled effect size was computed using the review manager and Compressive Meta-analysis software. Results Twenty-three studies, which encompassed 24272 pregnant women, were chosen for the analysis. From those an overall prevalence of compliance with Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) in pregnancy in SSA was 39.2%. However, the result from meta-analysis showed that women who were counseled on IFAS in their courses of pregnancy were 1.96 times more likely to adhere to IFAS compared to those who were not counseled [OR:1.96, 95% CI (1.76-,5.93)]. Moreover, it showed that women who had knowledge of IFAS were 2.71 times more likely to have compliance with IFAS as compared to those who had no knowledge of IFAS [OR:2.71, 95% CI (1.33,5.54)]. Also it revealed that those women who had knowledge of anemia were 5.42 times more likely to have compliance with IFAS as compared with those who had no knowledge of anemia [OR5.42, 95% CI (1.52, 19.43)]. Furthermore, women who had received fourth visit for ANC were 1.54 times more likely to have compliance with IFAS as compared to those who had not received for ANC [OR 1.54, 95% CI (0.66, 3.58.43)]. Conclusions Our finding from this systematic review and meta-analysis shows the low case in prevalence of compliance to IFAS among pregnant women in SSA. Predictors for this includes: knowledge about anemia, knowledge about IFAS, counseling on IFAS and receiving fourth antenatal care visit were statistically correlated positively with compliance to IFAS. This demands careful appraisal of effect of prevention work for functioning policy, programs and plan nutrition intrusions for refining maternal dietary intake in gestation. Also dietary education intrusion requires to be planned to satisfy the needs of pregnant women. So we hope that the result of this study might be essential as a bridging stone for policy makers of Africa; exclusively for maternal and child health care. Finally, we recommended further studies to be conducted in the area of the study for more intensive and detailed suggestions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melaku Desta ◽  
Bekalu Kassie ◽  
Habtamu Chanie ◽  
Henok Mulugeta ◽  
Tadesse Yirga ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Iron and folic acid deficiency anaemia are one of the global public health challenges that pose 1.45% of all disability-adjusted life-years. It is recognized as a cause for an unacceptably high proportion of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation during the antenatal period is paramount to reduce anaemia and its associated morbidities. Although several studies have been conducted across the country, their reports were inconsistent and inconclusive for intervention. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were aimed to estimate the pooled national level adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation and its determinants among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis were pursued the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2009 guideline. An extensive search of databases including, PubMed, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online were conducted to access articles. The Newcastle- Ottawa quality assessment tool was used to assess the quality of each study and meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. I2 test and Egger’s test were used to assess the heterogeneity and publication bias respectively. The meta-analysis of estimating national level adherence were done using STATA version 11 with 95% CI. Results Twenty studies with a total of 16,818 pregnant women were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled national level iron and folic acid supplementation’s adherence were 46.15% (95%CI:34.75,57.55). The highest adherence was observed in Addis Abeba, 60% (95%CI: 55.93, 64.07) followed by Tigray, 58.9% (95% CI: 33.86, 84.03). Women who received supplemental information [OR = 2.34, 95%CI: 1.05, 5.24], who had good knowledge [OR = 2.2, 95%CI: 1.05, 5.24], began the ANC visit before 16 weeks [OR = 2.41, 95%CI: 1.76, 3.29], and had ≥4 ANC visits [OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.09, 6.15] were more likely adhere to the supplementation. Fear of side effects (46.4, 95% CI: 30.9 61.8) and forgetfulness (30.7, 95% CI: 17.6, 43.8) were the major barriers of adherence of the supplementations. Conclusions More than four of nine pregnant women have adhered to the iron and folic acid supplementation. This meta-analysis revealed that receiving supplemental counselling, knowledge of the supplement; early registration and frequent ANC visit were significantly associated with the adherence of the iron and folic acid supplementation. Therefore, provision of strengthened supplemental counselling service, antenatal care services, and improving the knowledge of the supplementation is a crucial strategy to increase the adherence among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Besides, addressing the barriers of the adherence of the supplement mainly counseling or managing of side effects and reducing of forgetfulness to take the tablet through getting family support or male involvement during visit is mandatory.


2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (02) ◽  
pp. 153-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajshree Jayarajan ◽  
Anantharajan Natarajan ◽  
Ravindranathan Nagamuttu

Abstract Background The effectiveness of folic acid in prevention of neural tube defects has been well established. Periconceptional supplementation of folic acid in low doses has been shown to be effective in some studies on its efficacy in prevention of occurrence of clefts. There are few studies on high-dose folic acid for prevention of occurrence and recurrence of clefts in high risk cases and the overall consensus based on these is not available. Objectives The aim of this review is to assess whether high-dose folic acid supplementation during the periconceptional period reduces the risk of occurrence of nonsyndromic clefts and recurrence in high-risk cases. Search Methods Search was conducted in the various databases and trial registers. There were no restrictions in the search with regards to language, study setting, or date of publication. Results The search yielded four studies—one randomized control trial, two prospective control trials, and a case–control surveillance on screening 401 articles. The three case–control studies were specifically on recurrence of clefts in high risk cases. The heterogeneity of the studies prevented conduction of a meta-analysis. But results of the studies demonstrate a strong association between high-dose folic acid and isolated nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL±CP). But such an effect is weak with regards to isolated cleft palate (CP). Conclusions With the limited evidence available, our conclusion is that high-dose folic acid probably has a role in prevention of recurrence of isolated CL±CP in high-risk individuals, but not CP.


2018 ◽  
Vol 114 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.I. Toivonen ◽  
E. Lacroix ◽  
M. Flynn ◽  
P.E. Ronksley ◽  
K.A. Oinonen ◽  
...  

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2327
Author(s):  
Omid Asbaghi ◽  
Damoon Ashtary-Larky ◽  
Reza Bagheri ◽  
Parisa Moosavian ◽  
Behzad Nazarian ◽  
...  

It has been theorized that folic acid supplementation improves inflammation. However, its proven effects on inflammatory markers are unclear as clinical studies on this topic have produced inconsistent results. To bridge this knowledge gap, this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the effects of folic acid supplementation on serum concentrations of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Methods: To identify eligible RCTs, a systematic search up to April 2021 was completed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords. A fix or random-effects model was utilized to estimate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Twelve RCTs were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled analysis revealed that serum concentrations of CRP (WMD: −0.59 mg/L, 95% CI −0.85 to −0.33, p < 0.001) were significantly reduced following folic acid supplementation compared to placebo, but did not affect serum concentrations of IL-6 (WMD: −0.12, 95% CI −0.95 to 0.72 pg/mL, p = 0.780) or TNF-α (WMD: −0.18, 95% CI −0.86 to 0.49 pg/mL, p = 0.594). The dose–response analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between an elevated dosage of folic acid supplementation and lower CRP concentrations (p = 0.002). Conclusions: We found that folic acid supplementation may improve inflammation by attenuating serum concentrations of CRP but without significant effects on IL-6 and TNF-α. Future RCTs including a larger number of participants and more diverse populations are needed to confirm and expand our findings.


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