This Birth Defects Research A review paper discusses how recent fortification of food with folic acid in countries throughout the world can contribute to a reduction in spina bifida and anencephaly.
Update on prevention of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly. Bell KN, Oakley GP Jr. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2008 Dec 9;85(1):102-107.
The number of countries fortifying wheat and maize flour with folic acid has increased in the past 2 years. Folic acid prevents most cases of spina bifida and anencephaly by raising serum folate levels among women capable of bearing children, as does encouraging women to consume folic acid supplements prior to pregnancy.
Current fortification programs are preventing about 22,000, or 9% of
the estimated folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly
cases. This represents an annual global decrease of about 6,600 folic
acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly cases since 2006.
(More? UNSW Embryology – Neural System – Abnormal Development – Folic Acid and Neural Tube Defects )
Tags: anencephaly, embryology, folate, neural tube defects, spina bifida
