Folic acid to prevent neural tube defects

doi:10.1136/dtb.1994.32431

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 1994;32:31-32; doi:10.1136/dtb.1994.32431

Folic acid to prevent neural tube defects

Relevant BNF section: 9.1.2

Neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly affectabout 2000 pregnancies in the UK each year, and 1600 of theseend in termination or stillbirth.¹ To help prevent these defectswomen are advised to take supplements of folic acid around thetime of conception and in the early weeks of pregnancy.² Inthis article we look at the issues surrounding the routine useof folic acid.