Folic Acid

Question 1

What is a good natural source of folic acid?

Answer 1

Green, leafy vegetables are a good source of folic acid.

Question 2

What are causes of folic acid deficiency?

Answer 2

phenytoin
methotrexate
pregnancy
alcohol excess

Question 3

What are consequences of folic acid deficiency?

Answer 3

macrocytic, megaloblastic anaemia
neural tube defects

Question 4

How can neural tube defects in pregnancy be prevented?

Answer 4

all women should take 400mcg of folic acid until the 12th week of pregnancy

women at higher risk of conceiving a child with a NTD should take 5mg of folic acid from before conception until the 12th week of pregnancy

Question 5

Who is considered at a higher risk of neural tube defects?

Answer 5

either partner has a NTD, they have had a previous pregnancy affected by a NTD, or they have a family history of a NTD

the woman is taking antiepileptic drugs or has coeliac disease, diabetes, or thalassaemia trait.

the woman is obese (defined as a body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or more).