Folate promotion in Western Australia and the prevention of neural tube defects.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a case-control study to investigate the effectiveness of efforts to increase folate intake in Western Australia (WA) for the prevention of neural tube defects (NTD).


METHODS
Case (36) and control (578) mothers completed questionnaires, from which their intake of folate from supplements and food (including fortified foods) was estimated.


RESULTS
Almost one-third of women took folic acid supplements periconceptionally. Supplement use was associated with a non-significant 4% reduction in risk. For women not taking supplements, dietary sources of folate were protective, and most women obtained at least some folate from fortified food.


CONCLUSIONS
For the two-thirds of WA women not taking supplements, fortified food is an important source of folate for the prevention of NTD.


CONCLUSIONS
Greater promotion of foods currently allowed to be fortified with folate, or mandatory fortification, is needed to maximise prevention of NTD in Australia.
Bower
Carol
C
Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Western Australia. carolb@ichr.uwa.edu.au
Miller
Margaret
M
Payne
Jan
J
Serna
Peta
P
de Klerk
Nicholas
N
Stanley
Fiona J
FJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014904:Western Australia
D005492:Folic Acid