944. Vitamin deficiencies and neural tube defects. Serum folate, red cell folate, white blood cell vitamin C, riboflavin saturation index, and serum vitamin A were determined during the first trimester of pregnancy in over 900 cases. For each of these there was a social class gradient. Social classes I + II showed the highest levels which differed significantly from other classes, except for serum folate.In 6 mothers who gave birth to infants with neural tube defects, first trimester serum folate, red cell folate, white blood cell vitamin C, and riboflavin values were lower than in controls. In spite of small numbers the differences were significant for red cell folate (P <0 001) and white blood cell vitamin C (P <0 05).These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that nutritional deficiencies are significant in the causation of congenital defects of the neural tube in man.

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Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of policies and recommendations on folic acid aimed at reducing the occurrence of neural tube defects.