The role of the folic acid to the prevention of orofacial cleft: an epidemiological study.
BACKGROUND
Orofacial clefts (OFCs) have complex and multifactorial etiologies. Periconceptional folic acid supplementation can significantly reduce the risk of OFC.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of folate and other factors in preventing OFC by analyzing the health and socio-demographic data collected from a population sample.


METHODS
Retrospective case-control study in which mothers with children with or without OFC were evaluated for the following main parameters: nutritional factors, socio-demographic characteristics, pregnancy and family history, use of folate, and counseling by healthcare professionals.


RESULTS
Socio-epidemiological analysis of the 80 participants, 40 in the case group and 40 in the control group, found a significant impact on the risk of OFC related to economic and educational status. The mothers who had a diet rich in vegetables and white meat had a lower risk of having children with OFC. A short interval between pregnancies, subsequent pregnancy while still breastfeeding, and family history also increased risk of OFC.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited family planning, diet low in folate, and inadequate use of folate during the periconceptional period and during the first trimester of pregnancy were demonstrated a potential correlation with a high incidence of OFC in this study.
Post-Graduation in Health Science, Medical School, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiaba, MT, Brazil; Cuiaba Emergency Hospital, Cuiaba, MT, Brazil.
R F
RF
Figueiredo
N
N
Figueiredo
A
A
Feguri
I
I
Bieski
R
R
Mello
M
M
Espinosa
A S
AS
Damazo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D005492:Folic Acid
cleft lip; cleft palate; congenital malformation; folic acid; orofacial cleft; prevention