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Impact of folic acid fortification on women nutritional status and on the prevalence of neural tube defects Introduction: In 2003 iron and folic acid fortification of wheat flour became mandatory in Argentina. Folate nutritional status was assessed in a national probabilistic sample of women 10-49 years old and pregnant women. Changes in the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) were evaluated before and after fortification. Population and Methods: Data from the National Nutritional and Health Survey done in 2005 were used for folate intakes (24 h dietary recall) and serum levels. Fetal and infant mortality rates for NTDs were assessed in the period 2000-2006 from Vital Statistics Series, based on birth and death certificates. Prevalence of NTDs in hospital discharge statistics were analyzed in the pre and post fortification period. Results: Median folate intakes were 532 and 821 µg/ day in women 10-49 years-old and pregnant women, respectively. In both groups, folic acid from wheat flour represented 245 and 331 µg/day. Serum folate was assessed in 5,322 women 10-49 years old and in 1,321 pregnant women. Prevalence of serum folate concentration < 3 ng/mL was 0.8% in women of child-bearing age and 2.7% in pregnant women. Mortality rate due to anencephaly in 2000-2003 was 53.1 per 100.000 births and decreased to 23.3 per 100.000 births in 2005-2006. Spina bifida mortality rate decreased 67% in the same period. In a similar way, hospital discharge statistics showed a decrease of 54% for anencephaly, 33% for encephalocele, and 45% for spina bifida between 2000 and 2005. Conclusions: Food fortification with folic acid was associated with adequate intakes and serum folate levels in women. Concurrently, NTDs prevalence and mortality showed a significant reduction.