title: Observations on the prevention of cleft palate in dogs by folic acid and potential relevance to humans.
abstract: Folic acid has been shown to prevent neural tube defects in humans, but its effects on other defects is unknown. In a consistent breeding programme of Boston terrier dogs started in 1974, folic acid supplementation (5 mg/day) was introduced in 1981. The frequency of cleft palate fell from 9/51 (17.6%) without folic acid to 8/191 (4.2%) after its introduction, giving a reduction of 76% (95% confidence limits 42%-90%, p = 0.003).
authors: Hugh Adam Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Otago University Medical School, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Elwood
authors: T A
authors: TA
authors: Colquhoun