title: Neural-tube defects and vitamins: the need for a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: It has been suggested that taking extra vitamins around the time of conception may reduce the risk of fetal neural-tube defects. We have examined the evidence for this and conclude that there is considerable doubt about the efficacy of such a regimen. Also, it cannot be assumed that the taking of extra vitamins has no adverse medical effects. We give reasons for our view that a large randomized clinical trial is ethical and the only satisfactory way of resolving the matter. The Medical Research Council is currently conducting such a study in centres in Britain and abroad, involving women who have already had a pregnancy with a fetal neural-tube defect. The design of the Medical Research Council study is described briefly.
mesh_terms: D000757:Anencephaly / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D001361:Avitaminosis / Q000150:complications; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D035061:Control Groups; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D051379:Mice; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People; D051381:Rats; D035842:Research Subjects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000517:prevention & control; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D005492:Folic Acid