Contrary to what was expected, the Center's For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that levels of folate in women of childbearing age fell between 2000 and 2004.
The full report was published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report earlier this month. It documented the findings from two national surveys that assessed blood levels of folate in women who may become pregnant.
Folic acid, or folate, is a necessary vitamin for women of childbearing age. Deficiencies can result in neural tube defects (NTD) such as occult spina bifida. NTD often are incompatible with life, and severely impacts quality of life in the worse cases.
In 1998 the FDA passed law that required folic acid enrichment in all grain products. This campaign was aimed at increasing the levels of folic acid in women of childbearing age. It was hoped that it would target all women, especially reaching those who may not be receiving prenatal care and/or taking a prenatal vitamin.
The first assessment of the folic acid enrichment program showed success, with both levels of folic acid up in women and a decrease in the incidence of NTD.
Now the findings represent a 16 percent decrease from 2000 to 2004, regardless of continued enrichment in grains and cereal products.
The CDC stresses that women who may become pregnant take at least 400 micrograms of folic acid in addition to the folate that is consumed in food. Most multivitamins for women and all prenatal vitamins contain at least 400 micrograms.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on January 22, 2007 04:50 PM
