Awareness of the role of folic acid, dietary folate intake and plasma folate concentration in Japan

Kondo, Atsuo; Katoh, Osamu; Shimosuka, Y; Okai, Ikuyo; Gotoh, Momokazu; Ozawa, Hideo

doi:10.1111/j.1341-8076.2005.00265.x

Cited by 33 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although this result is similar to what was found in the UAE (66.7 %) [16], other studies, such as Kondo and colleagues reported that less than 15 % of Japanese women were aware of a link between folic acid and NTDs [17]. In addition, a study in the United States revealed that 13 % of all women surveyed knew that folic acid helps prevent birth defects [18]; however, an UAE study reported lower rates, 69.7 % [16].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 36%

Evaluation of the knowledge and practices of pregnant Yemeni Women regarding teratogens

Alfadly¹,

Wajid²,

Abdulghani³

et al. 2017

Trop. J. Pharm Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 36%

Evaluation of the knowledge and practices of pregnant Yemeni Women regarding teratogens

Alfadly¹,

Wajid²,

Abdulghani³

et al. 2017

Trop. J. Pharm Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Accordingly, there had not been fully investigated about folate intake and folate related biomarker in Japanese people. Recently, Kondo et al (2005) reported folate intake and serum folate concentration in pregnant Japanese women including all trimesters. However, there are no studies on folate intake and folate-related biomarkers including RBC folate concentration in pregnant Japanese woman in the first trimester.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Folate intakes and folate biomarker profiles of pregnant Japanese women in the first trimester

et al. 2006

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: To assess the status of dietary folate intake, serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate, and related nutritional biomarkers in healthy Japanese women in early pregnancy. Design: A cross-sectional, observational study. Subjects: Pregnant women in the first trimester, at 7-15 weeks gestation (n ¼ 70), who were not consuming any folate supplements or folate fortified foods. Methods: Three-day dietary records were obtained from each subject to assess dietary folate intake. Blood samples were collected for measurement of biomarkers. Biomarkers and nutrient intake were analyzed in two groups defined by their serum folate concentrations: the low folate group (serum folate o9 ng/ml) and the high folate group (serum folate X9 ng/ml). Result: Mean serum and RBC folate concentrations in all subjects were 10.3 and 519 ng/ml, respectively. These levels were remarkably higher than the reported values from many other countries despite our subjects receiving no folic acids supplements. However, mean folate intake by our subjects from natural foods was 289 mg/day, which is thought to be low according to the Japanese dietary recommendation specified for pregnant women. The intake of spinach and fruits was significantly greater in the high folate group than in the low folate group. Conclusion: Folate intake was thought to be adequate to maintain a desirable level of serum folate concentration in Japanese pregnant women in the first trimester, although the intake of folate from natural food was not high enough to meet the recommended daily intake.

show abstract

“…Due to these intersectoral efforts, the proportion of supplement users in pregnant women has increased (20,21,24). As there are no current guidelines on whether or not to continue FA use after 12 wk gestation, there is concern among obstetricians and pregnant women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevated Maternal Serum Folate in the Third Trimester and Reduced Fetal Growth: A Longitudinal Study

Takimoto¹,

Hayashi

Kusama

et al. 2011

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SummaryThis study aimed to examine the association of fetal growth and elevated third trimester maternal serum folate due to folic acid (FA) supplement intake. Dietary intake, use of FA supplements, weight, and blood biomarkers of B-vitamins (serum folate, pyridoxal, vitamin B 12 , and plasma total homocysteine) were observed in 33 healthy pregnant women at the third trimester (average gestational age 35 wk). Birth outcomes were assessed through hospital birth records. Infant anthropometry and maternal blood biomarkers were followed up at 1 mo postpartum. Fourteen women were taking FA supplements at the third trimester. Dietary intake was similar among FA users and non-users, but serum folate and pyridoxal were significantly higher in users (11.6 Ϯ 6.7 vs. 6.1 Ϯ 3.2 ng/mL, and 13.8 Ϯ 21.7 vs. 3.2 Ϯ 1.4 ng/mL, respectively). Plasma total homocystein (tHcy) was higher in non-users compared to users, but not significantly. Nine FA users and eight non-users had low serum vitamin B 12 values ( Ͻ 203 pg/mL). Nine FA users and all non-users had low serum pyridoxal values ( Ͻ 7.0 ng/mL). Infant birthweight was significantly lower in users compared to non-users (2,894 Ϯ 318 vs. 3,154 Ϯ 230 g). At 1 mo postpartum, infant weight and length were similar between FA users and non-users, but infant weight gain was larger in users. Higher serum folate values due to FA use in the third trimester was related to reduced fetal size. Excess FA under low vitamin B 6 and B 12 status may affect fetal growth. Key Words pregnancy, folate, supplement use, birthweight Periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplements are currently recommended to women planning pregnancy, to avoid fetal neural tube defects (NTDs) ( 1 ) in Japan, and many other countries ( 2 ). Before its effect on NTD prevention was found, FA supplementation was previously known for its effect in preventing anemia in pregnancy ( 3 , 4 ). However, a number of recent studies have focused on other relations of folate to pregnancy health, such as pregnancy-induced hypertension ( 5-8 ), placental abruption ( 9 ), fetal growth restriction ( 10 ), and preterm birth ( 11 ), suggesting extended FA supplementation to reduce risks for these adverse pregnancy outcomes. While FA supplementation throughout pregnancy has been considered safe, concerns are arising on the long-term health effects of synthesized folate on infant health. Excess FA may induce changes to the genetic expression of the fetus, such as observed in animal experiments ( 12 , 13 ). This may pose lifetime changes to the health status of the offspring.Folate is an essential component in various metabolic processes, such as one-carbon transfer reactions including formate oxidation, amino acid metabolism and biosynthesis of thymidylate and purines ( 14 ). In regenerating methione from homocysteine, methionine synthase catalyzes the cobalamin-dependent transfer of a methyl group from 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate. Homocysteine is also catalyzed into cysteine through the transsulfuration pathway, which involves cystathionine ␤ -synt...

show abstract

Awareness of the role of folic acid, dietary folate intake and plasma folate concentration in Japan

Abstract: Information on the role of periconceptional intake of folic acid is not sufficiently disseminated to young women and health-care professionals alike. Pregnant women should be repeatedly recommended to take folic acid supplements of 400 microg/day.

Cited by 33 publications

References 12 publications

Evaluation of the knowledge and practices of pregnant Yemeni Women regarding teratogens

Evaluation of the knowledge and practices of pregnant Yemeni Women regarding teratogens

Folate intakes and folate biomarker profiles of pregnant Japanese women in the first trimester

Elevated Maternal Serum Folate in the Third Trimester and Reduced Fetal Growth: A Longitudinal Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About