Too many left at risk by current folic acid supplementation use: Evidence from Growing Up in New Zealand

摘要

Folic acid taken before pregnancy and in the early weeks of gestation reduces the risk of neural tube defect (NTD) affected pregnancies.However, because supplement use varies widely, folic acid supplementation on its own is an incomplete preventive strategy.New Zealand (NZ) is considering whether folic acid fortification of flour should be mandatory. Currently 41% of NZ women of child bearing age have red blood cell folate levels that place them at increased risk of a NTD affected pregnancy. To inform the decision-making process, we described the use of folic acid during pregnancy utilising NZ's contemporary birth cohort study, Growing Up in New Zealand.