FOLIC ACID
It’s never too early ...
What is folic acid?
• B vitamin essential for healthy development
of unborn baby’s spine, brain and skull
• can help reduce risk of
birth defects such as
spina bifida by as much
as 70%
What are neural tube defects?
• neural tube defects (NTDs) are birth defects
that occur early in pregnancy
– often before a woman knows she is pregnant
• neural tube grows to become baby’s spinal
cord, spine, brain and skull
Which NTDS are most common?
• Spina Bifida
– a condition that results when
the lower part of the neural
tube fails to develop properly
Occulta
Meningocele
Myelomeningocele
• Anencephaly
– a fatal condition in which the
upper end of the neural tube
fails to close
Why is folic acid important?
• reduces risk of NTDs by up to 70%
– if taken before conception and during the first
trimester, consistently and
correctly
• reduces risk of other birth
defects, such as cleft lip
and palate, and certain
heart abnormalities
Who should take folic acid?
• all women of childbearing
age
– minimum of 0.4 mg of folic
acid daily
– more for high-risk women
• about half of all
pregnancies
unplanned
Who is at higher risk?
• women who...
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
have a previous pregnancy affected by an NTD
have a family history of NTDs
use certain anti-seizure medication
have insulin-dependent diabetes
been diagnosed as clinically obese
abuse alcohol
are of Celtic, Northern Chinese, Cree and
Sikh heritage
Sources of folic acid
• all women need healthy diet high in folic acid
– foods high in folic acid
• asparagus, broccoli, corn, spinach,
orange juice, sunflower seeds,
peanut butter, beans
– foods fortified with folic acid
• white flour, enriched pasta, enriched cornmeal
What if I’m high-risk?
• consult a health professional
– to determine correct dosage of folic acid
– to determine best multivitamin
• may require up to 5 mg of folic acid daily
Why spread the word?
• less than half of women between 18 and 40 ...
– know folic acid can prevent birth defects
– are currently taking a multivitamin
• almost two-thirds ...
– don’t know folic acid
needs to be taken before
conception to reduce
the risk
For more information ...
• take a brochure
– download more at www.folicacid.ca
• visit www.folicacid.ca and www.sbhao.on.ca
• encourage health professionals to
help spread the word
– doctors, nurses, doulas,
nutritionists, dieticians, etc.
Help spread the word ...
FOLIC ACID
It’s never too early!