Red cell folate and predicted neural tube defect rate in three Asian cities.
BACKGROUND
Periconceptional folic acid reduces neural tube defect (NTD) risk. Red blood cell folate concentration is inversely associated with NTD risk. In many countries there is a lack of information on NTD rates. Red cell folate status in women of childbearing age may be a surrogate for NTD rates and may be helpful in identifying countries or regions most likely to benefit from improved folate status.


OBJECTIVE
To predict NTD rates using red cell folate concentrations in women of childbearing age living in three Asian cities Design: Cross-sectional convenience samples of non-pregnant women living in Beijing (n=220), Kuala Lumpur (n=389), and Jakarta (n=129).


RESULTS
Red cell folate concentrations were highest (p<0.001) in women from Jakarta at 872 nmol/L (95% CI; 833, 910) followed by Kuala Lumpur at 674 nmol/L (95% CI: 644, 704) and lowest in Beijing at 563 nmol/L (95% CI: 524, 601). Accordingly, predicted NTD rates were highest in Beijing at 30/10000 (95% CI: 27, 33), followed by Kuala Lumpur at 24/10000 (95% CI: 22, 25), and lowest in Jakarta at 15/10000 (95% CI: 14,15).


CONCLUSIONS
Our red blood cell folate data suggests that of the three cities improving the folate status of women in Beijing would have the greatest impact on NTD rates.
Green
Timothy J
TJ
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Skeaff
C Murray
CM
Venn
Bernard J
BJ
Rockell
Jennifer Ep
JE
Todd
Joanne M
JM
Khor
Geok L
GL
Loh
Su Peng
SP
Duraisamy
G
G
Muslimatun
Siti
S
Agustina
Rina
R
Ling
Xu
X
Xing
Xiaoping
X
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016742:Preconception Care
D005492:Folic Acid