title: [Characterization of folate supplementation in pregnancy, based on a combination of health information systems].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the utility of combining health information systems from the Valencia Health Agency to characterize folate supplementation in pregnant women in the autonomous region of Valencia (Spain).
  
  
  METHODS
  The cohort comprised women who gave birth during 2009 in hospitals within the Valencian Health Agency. These women were retrospectively followed-up using ABUCASIS electronic medical records and the GAIA electronic prescription system to identify folate consumption in the 3 months before and after conception.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2009, there were 38,069 births in hospitals of the Valencian Health Agency, of which 37,040 (97.3%) were included for analysis. In 34% of women, at least one folate dispensation was registered with an official prescription form within the periconceptional period (6.6% in the 3 months prior to conception). Dispensation with an official prescription form was associated with older women, free pharmaceutical prescriptions, birth in Spain, antiepileptic medications, and a diagnosis of diabetes. Eight percent of women (23.6% of the folate-treated women) received folates at high doses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Folate consumption during pregnancy is systematically under-registered by healthcare information systems because health professionals do not use the official prescription form for prescription and dispensation. Database linkage is an inadequate approach to assess folic acid supplementation during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Centro Superior de Investigación en Salud Pública (CSISP), Valencia, España. sanfelix_gab@gva.es
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sanfélix-Gimeno
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ferreros
authors.forename: Julián
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Librero
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peiró
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000453:epidemiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055695:Electronic Prescribing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D063005:Health Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005492:Folic Acid