title: The role of maternal nutrition in the prevention of birth defects.
abstract: "Natural" phenomena allow conclusions that maternal dietary deficiencies or excesses can affect development of the human embryo and fetus adversely. The most important finding in recent years has been the relationship between maternal folic acid status and neural tube defects.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Worthington-Roberts
mesh_terms: D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000209:etiology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D007455:Iodine