Prevention of Neural Tube Defects by Folic Acid Supplementation: A National Population-Based Study

Fourniere, Benoit De La.; Dhombres, Ferdinand; Maurice, P; Foucaud, Sabine de; Lallemant, P.; Zérah, Michel; Guilbaud, Lucie; Jouannic, Jean‐Marie

doi:10.3390/nu12103170

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Only 17% of the >22,000 respondents were aware that folic acid reduces the risk of NTDs and only 28% of those women currently trying to become pregnant were taking folic acid supplements [9]. A recent study from France revealed that only 6.4% of women filled their prescription for folate supplements in the preconceptional period between 2006 and 2016, based on objective data from registries [39]. Even though over-the-counter supplements were not included, this low number may indicate that self-reported adherence to supplement recommendations, as used in most other studies, might be overestimated to a certain extent.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inadequate Status and Low Awareness of Folate in Switzerland—A Call to Strengthen Public Health Measures to Ensure Sufficient Intakes

Herter-Aeberli

Wehrli

Bärlocher³

et al. 2020

Nutrients

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Background: Folate plays an essential role in the prevention of neural tube defects, yet little is known about the folate status of women of reproductive age or to what degree the general population is aware of the importance of folate in early-life development. We aimed to determine folate status in women of reproductive age and pregnant women in Switzerland, and to assess folate awareness in the Swiss population. Methods: In a convenience sample of 171 women of reproductive age and 177 pregnant women throughout Switzerland, we measured red blood cell (RBC) folate concentration. In a second convenience sample (n = 784, men and women) we assessed folate knowledge with an online survey. Results: RBC folate concentration (median interquartile range) was 442 (366, 564) nmol/L in women of reproductive age and 873 (677, 1177) nmol/L in pregnant women. Folate deficiency (RBC folate <340 nmol/L) was found in 19.9% of women of reproductive age and 2.8% of pregnant women, while 91.8% of women of reproductive age and 52.0% of pregnant women showed folate concentrations indicating an elevated risk of neural tube defects (RBC folate <906 nmol/L). The online survey showed that a high proportion (≥88%) of participants were aware of folate’s role in neural tube defect (NTD) prevention and fetal development, yet knowledge about dietary sources and national recommendations of folate supplementation when planning pregnancy were limited. Conclusion: The high prevalence of folate inadequacy in Swiss women suggests an elevated risk of neural tube defects and calls for urgent measures to increase folate intakes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inadequate Status and Low Awareness of Folate in Switzerland—A Call to Strengthen Public Health Measures to Ensure Sufficient Intakes

Herter-Aeberli

Wehrli

Bärlocher³

et al. 2020

Nutrients

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“…Some studies point out that high consumption of folic acid may cause adverse health effects [ 58 ]. According to other authors dealing with neural tube defect prevention, the future will require balanced decisions in the scope of food fortification in all European countries [ 59 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Folic Acid Supplementation Recommendations among Polish Female Students from the Podkarpackie Region

2021

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Adequate folic acid supplementation during the preconception period is an important element in the primary prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs). This study aims to study the effectiveness of folic acid supplementation recommendations among women of childbearing age, and to assess and characterise their awareness about this public health measure. The cross-sectional study included women (N = 1285) aged 22.27 ± 4.6 years old on average. Some of the results were obtained on a subgroup of women (N = 1127) aged 21.0 ± 2.1. This study was performed using a questionnaire. The analysis was performed with the use of a logistic regression model, chi-square test for independence and odds ratio (OR). According to the results, only 13.9% of women supplement folic acid, and 65.3% of them do so daily. A total of 91.1% of the respondents were not aware of its recommended dose and 43% did not know the role it plays in the human body. Among women who do not currently supplement folic acid (N = 1052), 52.4% declared doing so while planning their pregnancy. Women’s awareness about the role of folic acid in NTD prevention (OR = 4.58) and the information they got from physicians (OR = 1.68) are key factors that increased the odds of the women taking folic acid before pregnancy. There is therefore a need for more information and education campaigns to raise awareness about folic acid.

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“…Neural tube defects are a group of birth defects which are related to morbidity, mortality and lifelong disability. It can be prevented by periconceptional intake of folic acid 17 . Myelomeningocele being the most frequent type of NTD, have an incidence rate of 0.20-0.40/1000 births/year in Canada and the USA 18 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Novel mutation in VANGL1 gene indicating genetic association of Myelomeningocele

Fatima¹,

Iftikhar²,

Gul³

et al. 2021

PJMHS

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Aim: To detect the novel mutation in VANGL1 gene indicating genetic association of Myelomeningocele. Methodology: The study design was cross sectional. It comprises of sixty individuals, of them fifty were diagnosed cases of myelomeningocele and ten were healthy individuals taken as controls. The cases were collected from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center. The study was carried out in Dow Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (D.D.R.L.). Most of the patients were less than one year of age. The cases were evaluated for various other parameters like site and size of cyst and associated features like presence of hydrocephalus in the individuals. Since folic acid deficiency is the key component in the causation of the disease so mothers were also asked about the consumption of folic acid. Blood was drawn from patients after a written permission from the parents of the concerned patient. It was followed by the conduction of PCR to seek for any mutation in VANGL1 gene. Results: We found a rare mutation in VANGL1 gene revealing substitution of valine to serine at position 239 i.e. V239S. Hydrocephalus being the associated anomaly was present in 32% of the patients. Most of the affected individuals were males. 98% mothers of the sufferers did not take folic acid during pregnancy. In most of the patients, lump was present on the lumbar region. Conclusion: Myelomeningocele is a congenital birth defect with lifelong complications. Its prevalence can be decreased by taking certain measures. Periconceptional intake of folic acid has been established to lessen the risk of the disease. We identified a rare mutation in VANGL1 gene that may result in the causation of myelomeningocele. Keywords: Neural tube defects, mutation, myelomeningocele.

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Prevention of Neural Tube Defects by Folic Acid Supplementation: A National Population-Based Study

Cited by 20 publications

References 28 publications

Inadequate Status and Low Awareness of Folate in Switzerland—A Call to Strengthen Public Health Measures to Ensure Sufficient Intakes

Inadequate Status and Low Awareness of Folate in Switzerland—A Call to Strengthen Public Health Measures to Ensure Sufficient Intakes

Effectiveness of Folic Acid Supplementation Recommendations among Polish Female Students from the Podkarpackie Region

Detection of Novel mutation in VANGL1 gene indicating genetic association of Myelomeningocele

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