Folic Acid Flashcards
Folic acid is important in the prevention of…
Neural tube defects
What is the standard dose that all women should take?
0.4mg a day pre conception to 13 weeks
Why should folic acid be taken pre conception?
The neural tube is formed within the first 28 days of development, any defect may be present if a woman waits until missed period
Certain women are at an increased risk of neural tube defects such as..
Previous child with NTD, FH of NTDs DM AEDs Obese HIV positive taking co-trimoxazole Sickle cell, thalassaemia trait Coeliac disease
What can cause folic acid deficiency?
Phenytoin
Methotrexate
Pregnancy
Alcohol excess
A woman with risk factors for NTDs should take an increased dose of…
5mg from before conception until 12th week
What is folic acid converted to?
Tetrahydrofolate - plays a key role in the transfer of 1-carbon units to the essential substrates involved in DNA and RNA synthesis