Folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects: the Danish experience

Food and Nutrition Bulletin
Sjúrdur F Olsen, Vibeke K Knudsen

Abstract

Evidence from controlled trials suggests that ingestion of 0.4 mg of folic acid per day in the periconceptional period is effective in preventing neural tube defects (NTD). For this reason, most countries recommend that women planning pregnancy take folic acid supplements in the periconceptional period, and some countries even fortify stable foods with folic acid. Denmark exemplifies a country with a relatively conservative attitude with respect to taking action in these matters. In 1999, a national information campaign was launched that recommended women planning pregnancy take 0.4 mg of folic acid periconceptionally, but with the moderation that women who eat a healthy diet do not need to take folic acid supplement. The campaign was repeated during 2001. The results of the latter campaign were evaluated by using data from a national survey among pregnant women conducted simultaneously with the campaign by the Danish National Birth Cohort. An increase in the proportion of folic acid users took place concomitantly with the launching of the information events, but the increase was limited. Among women who did not plan their pregnancy, a small proportion had taken folic acid supplements periconceptionally, and this proportion did...Continue Reading

References

Dec 24, 1992·The New England Journal of Medicine·A E Czeizel, I Dudás
Jun 30, 2001·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·M A HoneinL Y Wong
Jan 5, 2002·Scandinavian Journal of Public Health·J OlsenC Søndergaard
Jan 24, 2007·Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology·Sjúrdur Fródi OlsenMarie Louise Osterdal

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Citations

Dec 1, 2011·Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics : the Official Journal of the British Dietetic Association·R S BarbourA S Anderson
Mar 29, 2014·Journal of Dietary Supplements·Konstantina HatzopoulouMaria Tsigga
Jan 7, 2011·Maternal and Child Health Journal·Claudine Nasr HageSalim M Adib
May 12, 2012·International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition·Szimonetta LohnerTamás Decsi

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