title: Folic acid supplements are more effective than increased dietary folate intake in elevating serum folate levels.
abstract: In 1992, recommendations were disseminated aimed at reducing the incidence of neural tube defects. Women were advised to increase consumption of folic acid supplements and dietary folates during the periconceptional period and a major integrated national campaign was launched to help achieve this. In this study we found that only one-quarter of the women with an uncomplicated obstetric history and 51% with a complicated obstetric history took supplements for the recommended time period. Dietary modification was extremely unusual. Serum analysis demonstrated that intake of folic acid supplements provides a greater elevation in serum folate levels than dietary food intake, suggesting dietary manipulation is an ineffective strategy and that efforts would be better focused on increasing supplement intake at a clinically important time. More effective education strategies are required, and since approximately one-third of pregnancies are unplanned, fortification of foods with folic acid is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Elkin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Higham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D016742:Preconception Care
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid