Women must take folic acid ‘before they get pregnant’
Every week, one baby is born with a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly — conditions less likely to occur if the mother maintains high levels of folic acid.
As such, all women who could potentially give birth should be taking folic acid, even if they’re not currently trying to get pregnant, according to an obstetrician.
“Women need to know that they should start folic acid at least three months before they get pregnant and not wait until they are pregnant,” said Professor Michael Turner from University College Dublin speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“What we found is that only one in four Irish women are taking adequate folic acid before they become pregnant. So we need to update our national guidelines.”
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Prof Turner, who is also the HSE clinical lead for obstetrics, called for a major public health campaign to highlight the issue.
“We need to update our national guidelines in the light of this latest scientific evidence, but secondly we need to renew our public health campaigns and they need to be repeated on an ongoing basis so there is a clear, consistent message communicated to Irish women,” he said.
“The other part of our research showed too that women, who are at higher risk of neural tube defects, were not taking higher doses of folic acid as they should and these would include the one in six women who are obese, women who have a history of previous neural tube defects, and women who are on specific medications that interfere with folic acid.”
Another recently published study revealed a decline in the amount of food products containing high levels of folic acid, meaning women are less likely to consume the supplement in their regular diet.
Researchers at Dublin City University found breads, cereals, fruit juices, spreads and yoghurts are among the products less likely to contain added folic acid.
They also found discount retailers stock fewer products fortified with the supplement — a rise in the number of people shopping at discount stores could be contributing to the rise in children born with neural tube defects.
While more than 50 countries, including the US, have mandatory folic acid fortification in foods, the Irish government reversed a decision to introduce a similar system in 2008.
Neural tube defects rose from 70 cases in 2009 to 87 in 2011.
“In order to be effective, the folic acid levels need to be high four weeks after conception.
“So waiting until the pregnancy test is positive is too late,” said Prof Turner.
“About a third of pregnancies are unplanned so women who could potentially get pregnant should be taking folic acid, not just those women who are actively trying.”
Folic acid is available over the counter in all pharmacies. A year’s supply should cost less than €30.
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