Folic acid supplementation and neural tube defect recurrence prevention

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#dietary-supplements #female #folic-acid #health-knowledge-attitudes-practice #humans

Folic acid supplementation and neural tube defect recurrence prevention

Grosse et al., 2007 | Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Grosse Scott D, Collins Julianne S. Folic acid supplementation and neural tube defect recurrence prevention. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2007-Nov;79(11):737-42

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is well established that women who have had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect (NTD) have an elevated risk of a subsequent NTD-affected pregnancy and that a high dose (4 mg/day) of folic acid taken around the time of conception prevents most recurrences of NTDs. METHODS: We reviewed the literature to identify studies that quantify the reduction in risk if women with a prior-NTD affected pregnancy consistently take folic acid before and during a subsequent pregnancy and the effectiveness of NTD recurrence prevention programs in increasing the percentage of women who consistently consume folic acid supplements. RESULTS: A meta-analysis of randomized trials of folic acid for the prevention of recurrent NTDs indicates a 69% reduction in recurrence risk if analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis and an 87% reduction among those women who took supplements prior to the beginning of pregnancy. Observational studies report reductions in recurrence risk of 85% to 100% among women taking folic acid prior to subsequent pregnancies. The percentage of women who take folic acid prior to a subsequent pregnancy has been reported to vary from 33% to 85%, varying with the demographic background and the intensity of folic acid counseling efforts. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted folic acid information and counseling provided to women with an NTD-affected pregnancy has been demonstrated to substantially reduce the risk of recurrent NTDs and is feasible to implement on a public health basis.

Key Findings

A meta-analysis of randomized trials of folic acid for the prevention of recurrent NTDs indicates a 69% reduction in recurrence risk if analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis and an 87% reduction among those women who took supplements prior to the beginning of pregnancy. Observational studies report reductions in recurrence risk of 85% to 100% among women taking folic acid prior to subsequent pregnancies. The percentage of women who take folic acid prior to a subsequent pregnancy has been repor

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Folic Acid
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Neural Tube Defects
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Care
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Recurrence

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: folate

Provenance

  • PMID: 17990333
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09