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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Objective: To summarize the recommendations on folate intake and folic acid
supplementation and fortification in the periconceptional period, aimed at
prevention of neural tube defects (NTD), provided by official health organizations
in different countries worldwide and WHO.
Design: Information on recommendations for folate and folic acid intake in the
periconceptional period was gathered from the websites of official national health
organizations of several countries worldwide and from the WHO website.
Setting: WHO, selected developed countries and emerging economies, totalling
thirty-six countries worldwide (some European, BRICS, G8, Asian Tiger/Asian
Dragon and Australia).
Results: Recommendations differ between countries, although the majority
(69·4 %) recommend a healthy diet plus a folic acid supplement of 400 μg/d from
preconception (4–12 weeks) until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy
(8–12 weeks). The same recommendation is issued by the WHO. Dosages for
women at high risk of NTD are up to 4–5 mg/d (for 41·7 % of studied countries).
The recommended intake for folate is in the range of 300–400 μg/d for women of
childbearing age and 500–600 μg/d for pregnant women in different countries and
WHO. Five countries emphasize the importance of a healthy diet rendering
supplementation needless. By contrast, five others advise a healthy diet and
supplementation plus mandatory fortification. Only one mentions the importance
of ensuring an adequate folate status and refers to checking with a health-care
provider on the need for supplements.
Conclusions: Different recommendations regarding folate and folic acid, seeking
NTD prevention, are available worldwide; however, most countries and WHO
focus on a healthy diet and folic acid supplementation of 400 μg/d
periconceptionally.
Description
Keywords
Periconceptional period Neural tube defects Folate Folic acid Official health organizations’ recommendations
Citation
GOMES, Sandra ; LOPES, Carla ; PINTO, Elisabete - Folate and folic acid in the periconceptional period: recommendations from official health organizations in 36 countries worldwide and WHO. Public Health Nutrition. ISSN 1368-9800. Vol. 19, n.º 1 (2016), p. 176-89
Publisher
Cambridge University Press