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Preconcepton Health - Folic Acid for the Primary Prevention of Neural Tube Defects
Table of Contents
- Congenital anomalies. What are we talking about?
- Could I see people affected by congenital
anomalies and NTDs in my practice?
In my community? - What are the implications of being born with an NTD?
Primary Prevention of NTDs with Folic Acid
- What is the evidence that NTDs are preventable?
- How does folic acid work?
- To be effective in preventing NTDs, when should folic acid be taken?
- What type of supplement can I recommend to women who could become pregnant?
- What about food fortification? Why should women still take supplements containing folic acid?
- Many of my patients have healthy diets. Do they need to take supplements?
- Some of my patients may not be able to afford supplements. What can I do?
Etiology of NTDs and Pregnancies at Increased Risk for NTDs
- What causes NTDs and who is at increased risk?
- How much folic acid is recommended for women whose pregnancy is at increased risk for NTDs?
- My patient took folic acid as recommended and still had a child with an NTD. What advice should she be given? What about her next pregnancy?
- My patient had one child with an NTD, was taking high dose folic acid, and had another child with an NTD - what next?
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