title: [Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects: awareness and folate intake among pregnant women in 2006].
abstract: Folic acid plays an important role in proliferating cells and tissues of the fetus. A randomized control trial demonstrated in 1991 that 4 mg of folic acid supplements successfully prevented 72% of recurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in women who had had afflicted pregnancy. In 2000, the Japanese Government recommended women of childbearing age to take 400 microgram of folate supplements per day from 4 weeks prior to and 12 weeks after conception. A questionnaire study was performed in pregnant women by post on their awareness of the role folic acid plays, their life style, and folate intake by dietary consumption. Thirty-five percent of 1,251 pregnant women were aware of the important role of folic acid in the critical stage of fetal development and 31% actually took the supplement. Information on folic acid was obtained through mass media in 47% of the women, through the internet in 17%, through healthcare providers in 13% and so forth. The food record analysis revealed that the dietary intake of folic acid averaged 341 microg/day that was 60 microg less than what was recommended by the Government and that 33 of 86 women took the supplement. Overall, a half of pregnant women are required to take 400 microg folate supplement per day. It is to be stressed that primary prevention of NTDs by periconceptional intake of folic acid is a major public health opportunity and that prevention is more important than cure in the management of NTDs.
authors.forename: Atsuo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimosuga
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oguchi
authors.forename: Kanemitsu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kurauchi
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ichiko
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tada
authors.forename: Manshou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Nariaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaseki
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Narita
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kusanishi
authors.forename: Yoshitaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Shin-Ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Kuniaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ooura
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takemura
authors.forename: Takanori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ishihara
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Junichiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Katsuji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wakita
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: Sentoyo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katoh
authors.forename: Masayasu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koyama
authors.forename: Shunji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oota
authors.forename: Keiu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ninomiya
authors.forename: Katsuji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuzawa
authors.forename: Yoshiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hujishima
authors.forename: Shoutarou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: Ikuyo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Okai
authors.forename: Chisa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hayakawa
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gotoh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid