Folic acid is a B vitamin found
in many supplements and fortified foods. It’s the synthetic form of folate.
Use of folic acid:
Folic acid is used by your body
to make new cells and produce DNA. It’s required for normal growth and
development throughout your life.
Importance in Pregnancy:
Taking folic acid is particularly
vital before and during pregnancy. It’s important for the proper organ
development of a developing baby.
Deficiency can cause:
·
Birth
defects including serious neural tube defects such as spina bifida,
encephalocele (rarely), and anencephaly. Normally, the neural tube develops
into the spinal cord and brain by 28 days after conception. If the neural tube
doesn’t close properly, neural tube defects occur.
· Anencephaly
is a condition in which the brain doesn’t develop properly. Babies born with
anencephaly cannot survive.
·
Babies
born with spina bifida or encephalocele may face multiple surgeries, paralysis,
and long-term disability.
Requirements of folic acid:
- All pregnant women should take at least 400 micrograms (mcg) Many pre-natal vitamins contain 600 mcg of folic acid.
- You may also need higher doses of folic acid if you:
- Have
kidney disease and are on dialysis
- Have
sickle cell disease
- Have
liver disease
- Drink
more than one alcoholic beverage daily
- Take medications to treat epilepsy, type 2 diabetes, lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, or inflammatory bowel disease
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