title: [Folic acid for neural tube defects prevention: consumption and information in fertil-age women in Centro Cuyo Region].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neural tube defects are congenital malformations of brain and spinal cord. There is evidence that adequate amounts of folic acid supply to women before and during early pregnancy decreases the risk of having a neural tube defects affected child. Main sources of folic acid are food rich in folic acid, multivitamins with folic acid supplementation, and folic acid fortification of cereal products.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess folic acid consumption from food and from medication in a group of mothers. To analyze their knowledge about using folic acid to prevent neural tube defects. To evaluate association between inadequate consumption and information, level of education, and concurrence to private or public health sector. To measure the amount of folic acid in bread sold within the region.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mothers of children under 2 months of age that were assisted by 38 pediatricians in five cities in the Region, collected between November 2006 and March 2007. Amount of folic acid in bread: bread samples acquired in the same cities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  327 surveys were collected. The average daily intake of folic acid from food was 481 Hg; 43,4% of women consume less than 400 Hg daily. Medical supplementation was suitable in 27,8% of the sample. 52,9% had appropriated knowledge about folic acid and prevention of neural tube defects. Differences were observed between mothers concurring to private or public health sector, and those who had or had not completed secondary school in relation to both supplementation and knowledge of folic acid. The media amount of folic acid in bread samples was 192,34 Hg / 100 g. All samples were manufactured with fortified flour.
authors.affiliation: Filial Río Cuarto, Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.
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authors.lastname: Zabala
authors.forename: Ingrid
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authors.forename: Betina
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authors.lastname: Tobler
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authors.forename: Frida
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authors.lastname: Cappato
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authors.forename: Mercedes
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authors.forename: Cristina
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authors.forename: Ricardo
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authors.forename: Alicia
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authors.forename: Rosana
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authors.forename: Ana Laura
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authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gatica
authors.forename: María Alejandra
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Dora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: González Achával
authors.forename: María Luisa
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authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Carmen
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authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.forename: Alejandra
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authors.lastname: Martínez Colombres
authors.forename: Mónica
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authors.lastname: Meersohn
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authors.lastname: Merlo
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authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Núñez
authors.forename: Luis
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authors.forename: Andrea
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authors.lastname: Pérez Pazo
authors.forename: Alicia
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authors.forename: Eduardo Raúl
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authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Julieta
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authors.lastname: Rosso
authors.forename: Alejandra
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authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.forename: Irene
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authors.lastname: Santinelli
authors.forename: Arturo
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authors.lastname: Sfreddo
authors.forename: Gerardo
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authors.lastname: Silenzi
authors.forename: Amalia
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authors.lastname: Sobral
authors.forename: Mónica
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authors.lastname: Trigo
authors.forename: Bibiana
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authors.lastname: Tuninetti
authors.forename: Silvina
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authors.lastname: Urrea
authors.forename: Rubén
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authors.lastname: Zabala