Folic acid, also called folate, is an important vitamin in the development of a healthy fetus. Although taking this vitamin cannot guarantee having a healthy baby, it can help. Research studies have confirmed that by adding folic acid to their diets, women of childbearing age significantly reduce the risk of having a child with a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. Therefore, it is recommended that all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Foods high in folic acid include dark green vegetables, egg yolks, and some fruits. Many foods—such as some breakfast cereals, enriched breads, flours, pastas, rice, and other grain products - are now fortified with folic acid. A lot of multivitamins contain the recommended dosage of folic acid as well.
Women who have a child with spina bifida, have spina bifida
themselves, or have already had a pregnancy affected by any
neural tube defect are at greater risk of having a child
with spina bifida or another neural tube defect. These women
may require more folic acid before they become pregnant.
More information on Vitamins can be found here:
Vitamins
Resources
Spina Bifida Association
http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)National
Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/SpinaBifida.htm
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
http://health.nih.gov/topic/SpinaBifida
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
http://www.ahrq.gov
.
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