Effectiveness of community-based folate-oriented tertiary interventions on incidence of fetus and birth defects: a protocol for a single-blind cluster randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Birth defects are the main cause of fetal death, infant mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the etiology of birth defects remains largely unknown. Maternal folate status during periconception plays an important role in organogenesis and folic acid supplement reduces the risk of neural tube defects, congenital heart diseases, and several other birth defects. This trial seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of folate-oriented tertiary interventions during periconception on the incidence of fetus and birth defects.

Methods

This is a single-blind, two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial in Shanghai, China. Eligible women from 22 clusters are recruited at pre-pregnancy physical examinations clinical settings. Compared to the routine perinatal care group (cont

SUBMITTER: Li M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7439679 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature