Folic Acid

Question 1

What are the possible causes of folic acid deficiency?

Answer 1

phenytoin
methotrexate
pregnancy
alcohol excess

Question 2

What are the possible consequences of folic acid deficiency?

Answer 2

macrocytic, megaloblastic anaemia
neural tube defects

Question 3

Who should take folic acid?

Answer 3

All women until the 12th week of pregnancy

Question 4

What dose of folic acid should all pregnant women be taking until 12 weeks gestation?

Answer 4

400mcg

Question 5

Which women should be taking folic acid prior to conception?

Answer 5

Women at higher risk of conceiving a child with a NTD

Question 6

What dose should women at higher risks of neural tube defects be taking of folic acid?

Answer 6

5mg of folic acid

Question 7

Which women are considered higher risk and indicates high dose folic acid?

Answer 7

A partner has a NTD
Previous pregnancy affected by a NTD, Family history of a NTD
Taking antiepileptic drugs
Has Coeliac disease, diabetes, or thalassaemia trait.
Obesity (BMI 30 kg/m2 or more)9.

Question 8

What other vitamin shoukd all pregnant and breast feeding women take?

Answer 8

Viamin D 10µg