In an effort to reduce the prevalence of
spina bifida, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) endorses the recommendation of the U.S. Public Health Service that everyone capable of becoming pregnant consume 400 micrograms (mcg) per day of folic acid, a B vitamin.
Help prevent neural tube defects
Folic acid helps to
prevent neural tube defects (NTD), which include spina bifida. Although some foods are fortified with folic acid, it is not possible to meet the 400 mcg goal through a typical diet. That is why an AAP policy statement recommends a daily multivitamin tablet that contains folic acid in the recommended dose. Studies show that if all women of childbearing age met these dietary requirements, 50% or more of NTDs could be prevented.
Talk with your doctor about folic acid
Anyone who is at high risk for an NTD-affected pregnancy (for example because of a previous NTD-affected pregnancy, having
diabetes mellitus, or taking
antiseizure medications) are advised to discuss their risk with their doctor. This includes possible treatments with very high doses of folic acid (4,000 mcg per day), beginning one month before becoming pregnant and continuing throughout the first trimester.
However, the AAP advises against trying to achieve this very high dose of folic acid by taking multivitamin supplements, however. That's because there is a risk of getting too much of other vitamins this way. Instead, be sure to follow the advice of your doctor about high-dose folic acid treatment.
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