Prevention of neural tube defects by folic acid administration in early pregnancy. Joint recommendations of the German Society of Nutrition, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Human Genetics, Pediatrics. Society of Neuropediatrics

Is folic acid supplementation for the prevention of neural tube defects effective? How could periconceptional folic acid supplementation be recommended in Germany and actually put into practice?

Analysis of the available literature and of the German health care system.

According to the available data, it is likely that the rate of neural tube defects can be reduced by periconceptional folic acid. Matters of concern regarding its practical implementation are: difficulties regarding the information of the target group; the presently rare ingestion of vitamin supplements by women of child-bearing age in Germany; the lack of suitable folic acid preparations.

Several German societies have recommended folic acid supplements for women who plan to become pregnant: 4 mg for those at high risk (previous child with neural tube defect) and 0.4 mg/daily for women without a particular risk.

Published by Gynakologisch-geburtshilfliche Rundschau, 1995. The guideline itself is at the source linked here.

doi.org/10.1159/000272461