09 Aug USPSTF: Anyone Who Could Become Pregnant Should Take Folic Acid To Prevent Spinal Cord Defects
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:x
Dr. Nicholson
Wanda K. Nicholson, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.
Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Professor of Prevention and Community Health
Milken Institute School of Public Health
George Washington University
Vice chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Neural tube defects are when a baby’s spinal cord or brain don’t develop properly during pregnancy, which can cause serious complications including disability and death. The good news is that taking folic acid supplements before and during early pregnancy is proven to help prevent this from happening.
Spina Bifida
Neural Tube Defect
CDC image
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: After reviewing the current evidence, the Task Force again found that all people who are planning to or who could become pregnant should take a daily supplement containing 0.4 to 0.8 mg of folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Readers should know that the best time to start taking folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects is at least one month before pregnancy, continuing through the first trimester. Many people don’t get enough folic acid in their diets, so it’s important that people who could become pregnant take this daily supplement to keep their baby healthy.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: Readers should know that the best time to start taking folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects is at least one month before pregnancy, continuing through the first trimester. Many people don’t get enough folic acid in their diets, so it’s important that people who could become pregnant take this daily supplement to keep their baby healthy.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
Response: Nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned, and neural tube defects occur early in pregnancy, often before a person knows they are pregnant. That is why it’s important that all people who could become pregnant take folic acid to prevent neural tube defects and protect the health of their babies.
Citation:
US Preventive Services Task Force. Folic Acid Supplementation to Prevent Neural Tube Defects: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2023;330(5):454–459. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.12876
Viswanathan M, Urrutia RP, Hudson KN, Middleton JC, Kahwati LC. Folic Acid Supplementation to Prevent Neural Tube Defects: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2023;330(5):460–466. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.9864
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