Folate Deficiency and Folic Acid Supplementation: The Prevention of Neural-Tube Defects and Congenital Heart Defects

Nutrients

Andrew E. Czeizel²  Istvan Dudás²  Attila Vereczkey¹ 

[1] Versys Clinics, Human Reproduction Institute, Madarasz utca 47-49, Budapest 1138, Hungary; E-Mail:;Foundation for the Community Control of Hereditary Diseases, Torokvesz lejto 32, Budapest 1026, Hungary; E-Mail:

关键词: neural-tube defects;    congenital heart defects;    folic acid;    multivitamins;    primary prevention;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu5114760

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Diet, particularly vitamin deficiency, is associated with the risk of birth defects. The aim of this review paper is to show the characteristics of common and severe neural-tube defects together with congenital heart defects (CHD) as vitamin deficiencies play a role in their origin. The findings of the Hungarian intervention (randomized double-blind and cohort controlled) trials indicated that periconceptional folic acid (FA)-containing multivitamin supplementation prevented the major proportion (about 90%) of neural-tube defects (NTD) as well as a certain proportion (about 40%) of congenital heart defects. Finally the benefits and drawbacks of three main practical applications of folic acid/multivitamin treatment such as (i) dietary intake; (ii) periconceptional supplementation; and (iii) flour fortification are discussed. The conclusion arrived at is indeed confirmation of Benjamin Franklin’s statement: “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of care”.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.