scholarly journals The prevention of neural tube defects by folic acid supplementation

Curationis ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. W. Hitzeroth
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Spina Bifida ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Neural Tube Defect ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Congenital Abnormalities ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Acid Supplementation

Neural tube defects, in particular spina bifida and anencephaly, are serious and relatively common congenital abnormalities worldwide. They also occur in South Africa and affect all population groups to varying degrees. The overall incidence in South Africa is approximately 1-2 per 1000 newborns. Higher incidences, up to 6 per 1000 newborns have been recorded in certain parts, especially in some rural areas of the country. In total as many as 1500 newborns could be affected by a neural tube defect each year. The precise aetiology of neural tube defects is still unknown.

Changes in folic acid supplementation behaviour among women of reproductive age after the implementation of a massive supplementation programme in China

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 582-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jufen Liu ◽  
Lei Jin ◽  
Qinqin Meng ◽  
Lili Gao ◽  
Le Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Low Prevalence

AbstractObjectiveTo examine changes in periconceptional folic acid supplementation behaviour among Chinese women of reproductive age after the implementation of a folic acid supplementation programme.DesignTwo cross-sectional surveys were conducted.SettingOne survey was before (2002–2004) and the other was after (2011–2012) implementation of the programme, both were conducted in two areas of China with different prevalence of neural tube defects. Information on supplementation behaviours was collected in face-to-face interviews with women early in their pregnancy.SubjectsA total of 1257 and 1736 pregnant women participated before and after the programme, respectively.ResultsThe rate of periconceptional folic acid supplementation increased from 15 % to 85 % in the high-prevalence population and from 66 % to 92 % in the low-prevalence population. However, more than half of the women began taking the supplement after learning they were pregnant. The proportion of women who began taking folic acid before their last menstrual period decreased after the programme in rural areas with both a high and low prevalence of neural tube defects.ConclusionsAlthough periconceptional folic acid supplementation among Chinese women increased substantially after the programme, supplementation was often initiated too late to be effective in preventing neural tube defects. Educational and promotional campaigns should focus on how to increase the rate of folic acid supplementation before pregnancy.

scholarly journals Mengenal Spina Bifida dan Pencegahannya

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. 896-903
Author(s):  
Genta Faesal Atsani ◽  
Zanetha Mauly Ilawanda ◽  
Ilma Fahira Basyir
Keyword(s):  
Spina Bifida ◽  
Birth Defects ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Congenital Abnormality ◽  
Congenital Abnormalities ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Online Portal ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Developing Spinal Cord

Neural tube defects (NTD) are one of the birth defects or congenital abnormalities that occur in the brain and spine, and commonly find in newborns worldwide. Anencephaly and spina bifida are the two prevalent forms of NTD. The incidence of spina bifida happen on average 1 in 1000 cases of birth worldwide and there are 140,000 cases per year worldwide. Source searches were carried out on the online portal of journal publications as many as 20 sources from MedScape, Google Scholar and the Nation Center for Biotechnology Information / NCBI with the keywords “Neural tube defects (NTD), prevention, and spina bifida”. Spina bifida is a congenital abnormality that occurs in the womb due to a failure of closing process the neural tube during the first few weeks of embryonic development which causes the spine not completely close around the developing spinal cord nerves. NTD can ensue multifactorial conditions such as genetic, environmental, and folate deficiency. The use of folic acid supplementation starting at least 3 months before pregnancy, those are 400 mcg (0.4 mg) per day and 800 mcg per day during pregnancy can reduce the risk of developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Generally, spina bifida is undertaking by surgery and the regulation of patients comorbid. Public can find out prevention to avoid or reduce the risk of spina bifida so that the incidence of spina bifida can decrease along with the increasing awareness of the community regarding this disease.

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