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Folic acid supplementation in NTD
Abundant scientific evidence has shown a link between maternal folic acid deficiency during early pregnancy and the development
of neural tube defects in the fetus. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended "all women of childbearing age who
are capable of becoming pregnant should consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily". For women who have had a child with
a neural tube defect and women who themselves have a neural tube defect, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends "4000
micrograms of folic acid per day starting 1 month before the time they plan to become pregnant and throughout the first 3
months of pregnancy, unless contraindicated". Also see Neural Tube Defects - AAP Policy Statement on folic acid supplementation
Resources
Practice Guidelines
The following provides guidance on folic acid supplementation.
Cheschier N.
ACOG practice bulletin. Neural tube defects. Number 44, July 2003. (Replaces committee opinion number 252, March 2001).
Int J Gynaecol Obstet.
2003;83(1):123-33.
PubMed abstract