title: Folic acid for prevention of neural tube defects: pediatric anticipatory guidance.
abstract: The incidence of neural tube defects including myelomeningocele, which is one of the most common causes of infant and childhood disability, can be substantially reduced by folic acid supplementation to the diet of women before and during the early stages of pregnancy. All females of childbearing age should be taking folic acid supplements of 0.4 mg/day (400 micrograms/day) and consuming a diet rich in folate. Because many pregnancies are unplanned, supplementation should not await plans for pregnancy. Because pediatric nurse practitioners are in frequent contact with both adolescent patients and patients whose mothers are of childbearing age, and because pediatric nurse practitioners have an interest in preventing neural tube defects in future pediatric patients, they are in a good position to provide the necessary anticipatory guidance regarding the critical need for adequate folic acid intake by females of childbearing age. This article discusses and includes guidelines for providing this anticipatory guidance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health of Women & Children in the School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7460, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kelsey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid