title: Folic acid supplementation: what is new? Fetal, obstetric, long-term benefits and risks.
abstract: The association between folic acid supplementation, prior to conception and/or during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, has been the subject of numerous studies. The worldwide recommendation of folic acid is at least 0.4 mg daily for all women of reproductive age, and 4-5 mg in high-risk women. In addition, evidence shows that folic acid supplementation could modulate other adverse pregnancy outcomes, specifically, in pregnancies complicated by seizure disorders, preeclampsia, anemia, fetal growth restriction and autism. This review summarizes the available national and international guidelines, concerning the indications and dosage of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. In addition, it describes the potential preventive benefits of folic acid supplementation on multiple maternal and fetal outcomes, as well as potential risks.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Hind N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Moussa
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosseini Nasab
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Ziad A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Haidar
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Sean C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Blackwell
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Baha M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Sibai
keywords: adverse pregnancy outcomes; folic acid; pre-conception supplement