Estimate of the potential impact of folic acid fortification of corn masa flour on the prevention of neural tube defects.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hispanics in the US have a higher prevalence of neural tube defect (NTD) -affected pregnancies than non-Hispanic whites, and lower median total folic acid (FA) intake. FA fortification of corn masa flour (CMF) is a policy-level intervention for NTD prevention; however, the impact on NTD prevalence has not been estimated.

Methods

We developed a model to estimate the percentage reduction in prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly (NTDs) that could occur with FA fortification of CMF. Model inputs included estimates of the percentage reduction in United States NTD prevalence attributed to FA fortification of enriched cereal grain products (1995-1996 vs. 1998-2002), the increase in median FA intake after enriched cereal grain product fortification, and the estimated

SUBMITTER: Tinker SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4515957 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature