Folic acid to prevent neural tube defects: scientific advances and public health issues.
Folic acid prevents some neural tube defects by correcting abnormal homocysteine metabolism. A defective gene coding for a homocysteine-related enzyme has been shown in people with neural tube defects. An extensive educational campaign will be required to alert women to the need to take 0.4 mg/day of folic acid during their childbearing years.
Mills
J L
JL
Division of Epidemiology, Statistics, and Prevention Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Conley
M R
MR
D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
D006397:Hematinics; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid