Folic Acid Supplementation and Pregnancy: More Than Just Neural Tube Defect Prevention

Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Stacey J Bell⁴  James A Greenberg²  Yan-hong Yu¹  Yong Guan³ 

[1] Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical University,, Guangzhou, China;Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Division of Gynecology, Faulkner Hospital, and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School,, Boston, MA;Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital and Southern Medical University,, Shenzhen, China;Nutritional Consultant,, Boston, MA

关键词: Folic acid;    l-methylfolate;    Dietary supplements;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: MedReviews, LLC

【 摘 要 】

Folate (vitamin B9) is an essential nutrient that is required for DNA replication and as a substrate for a range of enzymatic reactions involved in amino acid synthesis and vitamin metabolism. Demands for folate increase during pregnancy because it is also required for growth and development of the fetus. Folate deficiency has been associated with abnormalities in both mothers (anemia, peripheral neuropathy) and fetuses (congenital abnormalities). This article reviews the metabolism of folic acid, the appropriate use of folic acid supplementation in pregnancy, and the potential benefits of folic acid, as well as the possible supplementation of l-methylfolate for the prevention of pregnancy-related complications other than neural tube defects.

【 授权许可】

Unknown