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Tracking the prevention of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly.
Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2006 Sep; 76(9):654-7.BD

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The fortification of wheat flour with folic acid prevents most cases of spina bifida and anencephaly by raising serum folate levels among women capable of bearing children, as does encouraging women to consume folic acid supplements prior to pregnancy. Unfortunately, surveillance is conducted in few countries where the need is greatest.

METHODS

A method for assessing the prevention of these birth defects is presented that combines fortification program information with country case prevalence estimates.

RESULTS

This approach suggests that about 70% of all cases could be prevented within a year of implementation of fortification programs, were it not for the inertia of regulatory agencies.

CONCLUSIONS

Professional researchers and clinicians can help combat this situation by becoming advocates for child health in their respective countries.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors+Show Affiliations

Bell KN
Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Oakley GP
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AnencephalyFemaleFolic AcidFood, FortifiedHumansPregnancyPrevalenceProgram EvaluationSpinal Dysraphism

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

17001686

Citation

Bell, Karen N., and Godfrey P. Oakley. "Tracking the Prevention of Folic Acid-preventable Spina Bifida and Anencephaly." Birth Defects Research. Part A, Clinical and Molecular Teratology, vol. 76, no. 9, 2006, pp. 654-7.
Bell KN, Oakley GP. Tracking the prevention of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly. Birth Defects Res Part A Clin Mol Teratol. 2006;76(9):654-7.
Bell, K. N., & Oakley, G. P. (2006). Tracking the prevention of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly. Birth Defects Research. Part A, Clinical and Molecular Teratology, 76(9), 654-7.
Bell KN, Oakley GP. Tracking the Prevention of Folic Acid-preventable Spina Bifida and Anencephaly. Birth Defects Res Part A Clin Mol Teratol. 2006;76(9):654-7. PubMed PMID: 17001686.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Tracking the prevention of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly. AU - Bell,Karen N, AU - Oakley,Godfrey P,Jr PY - 2006/9/27/pubmed PY - 2006/12/14/medline PY - 2006/9/27/entrez SP - 654 EP - 7 JF - Birth defects research. Part A, Clinical and molecular teratology JO - Birth Defects Res. Part A Clin. Mol. Teratol. VL - 76 IS - 9 N2 - BACKGROUND: The fortification of wheat flour with folic acid prevents most cases of spina bifida and anencephaly by raising serum folate levels among women capable of bearing children, as does encouraging women to consume folic acid supplements prior to pregnancy. Unfortunately, surveillance is conducted in few countries where the need is greatest. METHODS: A method for assessing the prevention of these birth defects is presented that combines fortification program information with country case prevalence estimates. RESULTS: This approach suggests that about 70% of all cases could be prevented within a year of implementation of fortification programs, were it not for the inertia of regulatory agencies. CONCLUSIONS: Professional researchers and clinicians can help combat this situation by becoming advocates for child health in their respective countries. SN - 1542-0752 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/17001686/Tracking_the_prevention_of_folic_acid_preventable_spina_bifida_and_anencephaly_ L2 - https://doi.org/10.1002/bdra.20304 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -