Why should women of child-bearing age to consume an adequate amount of folic acid?

Folic acid, or folate, reduces the risk of neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida when consumed in adequate amounts by women before and during early pregnancy. Spina bifida is a common disabling birth condition resulting from failure of the spinal column to close.

"Women of child-bearing age should eat a diet rich in leafy dark green vegetables, citrus fruits and juices, and lentils, or take a multivitamin a day to assure adequate levels of folic acid," said Dr. David A. Kessler, Commissioner of Food and Drugs.

Under the new FDA rules, specified grain products will be required to be fortified with folic acid at levels ranging from 0.43 milligrams to 1.4 mg per pound of product. These amounts are designed to keep daily intake of folic acid below 1 mg, because intakes above that amount may mask symptoms of pernicious anemia, a form of vitamin B12 deficiency which primarily affects older people. If untreated, pernicious anemia can lead to severe permanent nerve damage.

Because over half of all pregnancies are unplanned and because these defects occur in the developing fetus before most women know they are pregnant, it is important that all women of child-bearing age consume the needed 400 micrograms (.4 mg) of folic acid daily.

In addition to fortified grain products, PHS recommended that women should obtain this amount through food sources and/or a dietary supplement (such as a multivitamin), or a combination of these sources.

CDC estimates that there are approximately 4,000 pregnancies each year, including 2,500 live births, that are affected by spina bifida and other neural tube birth defects.

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