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Neural tube defects: Risk factors and preventive measures
Author(s) -
Kondo Atsuo,
Matsuo Takuya,
Morota Nobuhito,
Kondo Atsuya S.,
Okai Ikuyo,
Fukuda Hiromi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
congenital anomalies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-4520
pISSN - 0914-3505
DOI - 10.1111/cga.12227
Subject(s) - neural tube , folic acid , medicine , neural tube defect , fortification , pregnancy , folic acid supplementation , environmental health , pediatrics , obstetrics , food science , biology , embryo , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology
For the last 25 years, it has been proven that the occurrence or recurrence of neural tube defects can be prevented with the administration of folic acid before and early pregnancy. At present, over 80 countries in the world, except Japan, have mandated the fortification of wheat flour and/or rice with folic acid, which has resulted in a significant reduction in the prevalence of neural tube defects. In 2000, the Japanese government recommended folic acid 400 μg daily for young women of childbearing age and women who are planning to conceive. In 2002, the government started to present information about the importance of folic acid in the development of fetuses in the Mother‐Child Health Booklet annually. Despite these endeavors, the prevalence of neural tube defects has remained unchanged. We discuss the risk factors of neural tube defects and propose preventive measures to decrease the number of neonates with neural tube defects. We believe that the government should implement the fortification of staple food with folic acid very soon, which will eventually decrease not only the neonatal mortality and morbidity, but also the economic burden on our health care system.