Prevention

The prevention of birth defects is another goal of the Arkansas Center. Providing information of the latest findings plays an important role in preventing and reducing birth defects in Arkansas and the U.S.

Folic Acid

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious birth defects of the brain and spine including spina bifida, the leading cause of childhood paralysis. In the U.S., NTDs affect an estimated 4,000 pregnancies each year and occur when the neural tube doesn't close correctly. The neural tube  is formed and closed before the fourth week of a woman's pregnancy.

Research has shown that taking folic acid daily "at least one month"   before the time of conception and continue taking it throughout the first three months of pregnancy may decrease a woman’s chance of having a neural tube defect-affected pregnancy.¹ 

The U.S. Public Health Service and the National Council on Folic Acid recommends that all women of childbearing age (15-44 years old) consume 400 micrograms (400 mcg or 0.4 mg) of folic acid each day by eating foods rich in folate and taking a multivitamin or folic acid pill.   

Foods rich in folate include:

• leafy green vegetables, orange juice, and beans

• folic acid fortified breakfast cereals and enriched grains and pastas

In January, 1999, the National Council on Folic Acid began a national educational campaign to inform all American women of childbearing age about the importance of taking folic acid to prevent neural tube defects.   For information about the National Folic Acid Now Campaign, please visit the following Web sites:

• Overview

• FAQ

• Acido Folico Ahora

National Birth Defects Prevention Network

Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition

Reference

1. Burke B, Lyon-Daniel K, Latimer A., Merseau P, Moran K.,

Mulinare J, Prue C, Steen J,  Watkins M.  Preventing neural tube defects:

 A prevention model and resource guide. 1999. CDC. pp. 5-10.