Women urged to take folic acid

Fewer than one in four women takes folic acid before getting pregnant, despite studies showing the supplement is effective at preventing birth defects.

One woman in every 10 is also wrongfully under the impression they get enough folic acid from their regular diet.

A new campaign from Safefood aims to tackle this problem and is urging women who could become pregnant to take the supplement on a daily basis, whether they are planning a pregnancy or not.

The campaign ‘Babies Know the Facts About Folic’ aims to address the country’s high incidence of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida or anencephaly (abnormal development of the brain and bones of the skull). On average, roughly 80 babies every year are born with such conditions.

If, however, mothers maintain high levels of folic acid, this number could drop to 24, a reduction of 70% in the number of newborns with neural tube defects.

“We know that women are somewhat aware of folic acid, but with up to 50% of all pregnancies being unplanned, it’s so important that all women who are sexually active start taking the vitamin daily, even if a baby is the last thing on their mind,” said Dr Rhona Mahony of the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin.

“That’s because a baby’s neural tube develops in the first few weeks of pregnancy when many women may be unaware they are pregnant.”

safefood campaign stresses importance of women taking folic acid daily supplement #folicfacts http://t.co/chTNeEQ4iR pic.twitter.com/gFaLqIU5OF

— Safefood (@safefood_net) July 20, 2015

A recent study revealed a decline in the amount of food products containing high levels of folic acid, meaning women are less likely to consume it 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, meaning a rise in the number of people shopping at such stores could be contributing to the rise in the number of children born with neural tube defects.

While more than 50 countries, including the US, have mandatory folic acid fortification, the Irish Government reversed a decision to introduce a similar system in 2008.

“For a healthy mum and baby, we simply can’t get enough folic acid from our food alone, even with fortified foods; taking a daily folic acid supplement of 400mcg is the only way to go,” said Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, director of human health and nutrition at Safefood.

” For more information, go to safefood.eu/folicacid or search for #FolicFacts on Twitter.