Effects and safety of periconceptional folate supplementation for preventing birth defects.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It has been reported that neural tube defects can be prevented with periconceptional folic acid supplementation. The effects of different doses, forms and schemes of folate supplementation for the prevention of other birth defects and maternal and infant outcomes are unclear.

Objectives

This review updates and expands a previous Cochrane Review assessing the effects of periconceptional supplementation with folic acid to reduce neural tube defects (NTDs). We examined whether folate supplementation before and during early pregnancy can reduce neural tube and other birth defects (including cleft palate) without causing adverse outcomes for mothers or babies.

Search strategy

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (July 2010).

SUBMITTER: De-Regil LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4160020 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature