title: Folic Acid Supplementation for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.
abstract: Neural tube defects are among the most common major congenital anomalies in the United States and may lead to a range of disabilities or death. Daily folic acid supplementation in the periconceptional period can prevent neural tube defects. However, most women do not receive the recommended daily intake of folate from diet alone.
  
  
  
  To update the 2009 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on folic acid supplementation in women of childbearing age.
  
  
  
  In 2009, the USPSTF reviewed the effectiveness of folic acid supplementation in women of childbearing age for the prevention of neural tube defects in infants. The current review assessed new evidence on the benefits and harms of folic acid supplementation.
  
  
  
  The USPSTF assessed the balance of the benefits and harms of folic acid supplementation in women of childbearing age and determined that the net benefit is substantial. Evidence is adequate that the harms to the mother or infant from folic acid supplementation taken at the usual doses are no greater than small. Therefore, the USPSTF reaffirms its 2009 recommendation.
  
  
  
  The USPSTF recommends that all women who are planning or capable of pregnancy take a daily supplement containing 0.4 to 0.8 mg (400-800 µg) of folic acid. (A recommendation).
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bibbins-Domingo
authors.affiliation: Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City.
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Karina W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Epling
authors.affiliation: Pima County Department of Health, Tucson, Arizona.
authors.forename: Francisco A R
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Alex R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kemper
authors.affiliation: Fairfax Family Practice Residency, Fairfax, Virginia9Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
authors.forename: Alex H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Krist
authors.affiliation: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kurth
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
authors.forename: C Seth
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Landefeld
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Carol M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mangione
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Maureen G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Phipps
authors.affiliation: University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Pignone
authors.affiliation: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silverstein
authors.affiliation: University of Hawaii, Manoa.
authors.forename: Chien-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Tseng
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid