Preconceptional Health
Folic Acid and the Prevention of
Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a broad category of birth defects that include conditions such as spina bifida, anencephaly and encephalocoele. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord. Every unborn baby’s spine is open when it first forms, but normally closes by the 29th day of your pregnancy (often before you might know that you are pregnant). In the case of a neural tube defect, the backbone and spinal cord never closes completely.
Neural tube defects are very serious birth defects that, if they are not immediately fatal, can result in permanent paralysis of the lower limbs. While the cause of neural tube defects remains unknown, scientists have discovered that by taking a 0.4 mg folic acid (the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate) supplement, women can decrease their risk of having a child with a neural tube defect by as much as 50%. Women in the high-risk group (i.e. those affected by diabetes, obesity, or epilepsy) can reduce their risk by as much as 70%.
While flour, enriched pasta and cornmeal have been fortified with folic acid in Canada since 1998, at the present levels of fortification, it would be difficult for most women to consume the recommended daily amount of folic acid from diet alone.
As approximately 50% of all pregnancies in Canada are unplanned, it’s important that all women of childbearing age (even those who are not planning on becoming pregnant) take folic acid.
For more information on neural tube defects and folic acid, please refer to our on-line Resource Catalogue for resources.
