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Folic Acid

Folic Acid: What is it?

Folic acid is a B vitamin. It is used in our bodies to make new cells. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before she is pregnant, it can help prevent major birth defects of her baby’s brain and spine. These birth defects are called neural tube defects or NTDs. Women need to take folic acid every day starting before they are pregnant to help prevent NTDs.

The CDC and the U.S. Public Health Service urge every woman who could become pregnant to get 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of synthetic folic acid every day.

How much is enough? Look for 100%

One easy way a woman can be sure she is getting enough folic acid is to take a vitamin that has folic acid in it every day. Folic acid pills and most multivitamins sold in the U.S. have 100% of the daily value (DV) of folic acid; check the label to be sure. Another way to get enough is to eat a serving of breakfast cereal every day that has been enriched with 100% of the daily value of folic acid. Not every cereal has this amount. Check the label on the side of the box, and look for one that has “100%” next to folic acid.

When to start

Today! Every day!

These birth defects happen in the first few weeks, often before a woman finds out that she is pregnant. All women should practice this habit of taking folic acid daily even when they are not planning to get pregnant. For folic acid to help, it needs to be taken every day starting before a woman becomes pregnant.


Date last reviewed: 09/25/2003
 Selected Resources
Folic Acid Newsletter Spring/Summer 2004
This newsletter was created to increase communication between the CDC and state and community health agencies working to decrease the incidence of neural tube defects by increasing folic acid consumption among women of childbearing age.  [Newsletters and Bulletins]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The purpose of these questions and answers is to educate women of childbearing age on the importance of consuming 400 micrograms of folic acid everyday. Folic Acid can help reduce the risk of spina bifida by up to 70%.  [Questions & Answers]
Folic Acid Materials Order Form
CDC has folic acid education materials available free of charge for your use.
Information for Health Professionals
New Information, assistance, materials and references for health professionals.
Contact Us
CDC seeks to give people accurate and timely information about NTDs. We respond to requests for information from state and local agencies, health professionals, universities, and the general public. Please be aware that we cannot give you medical advice.  [Contact Information]
 Education & Training
EXCITE : Babies and Birth Defects: A Mystery in Texas
An educational module designed to teach middle school and high school students about epidemiology, neural tube birth defects, and folic acid.
Science Ambassador Program
Selected teachers will learn about a variety of topics, including folic acid, birth defects, genetics, fetal alcohol syndrome, epidemiology, and surveillance from eminent CDC scientists. Participating teachers can then use this knowledge to create and implement exciting new science lesson plans for their students.
Folic Acid Quiz
Test your awareness of folic acid with this quiz.  [Education and Training Opportunities]
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 Resources on Folic Acid
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Conferences & Events
2nd Annual Birth Defects Monitoring and Prevention in Georgia—Partners’ Meeting
Please plan to join NCBDDD and the Georgia Division of Public Health for a meeting to promote research and monitoring of birth defects and to improve the lives of children in Georgia born with birth defects.
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Programs & Campaigns
National Folic Acid Campaign
The CDC, the March of Dimes, and the National Council on Folic Acid have organized the National Folic Acid Campaign to promote the use of folic acid to prevent the serious birth defects spina bifida and anencephaly.
Science Ambassador Program
State Folic Acid Campaigns
Links to US states' websites participating in the Folic Acid National Campaign.
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