Folic Acid: Mayo Clinic Expert Discusses B-Vitamin During Early Pregnancy

The first week of January marked National Folic Acid Awareness Week, but the knowledge surrounding this B-vitamin that's essential for proper cell growth is especially important for pregnant women.

Science World Report spoke with Yvonne Butler Tobah, MD, an OB-GYN at the Mayo Clinic about the benefits of folic acid.

SWR: What are the general benefits of taking folic acid?

Butler Tobah: Folic acid supplementation prevents neural tube defects, including birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord. Neural tube defects occur typically within the first month of pregnancy, before most women realize that they're pregnant. To avoid this from occurring, all reproductive age women should take at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily. Supplementation also prevents a certain type of anemia (megaloblastic anemia) where the red blood cells are unusually large, as a result of improper DNA formation within the cell.

Where can you naturally find folic acids?
Folic acid is naturally found in foods like green leafy vegetables, grains and legumes. There are also some foods like cereal that are fortified with folic Acid

Is it helpful to take during pregnancy?
Many studies have proven that folic acid decreases the occurrence and recurrence of neural tube defects. Other studies also suggest that patients with folate deficiency during pregnancy may have infants with lower cognitive abilities. However, there is little evidence to prove the later.

Should some women be prescribed different doses than others?
Yes. Women with the following conditions should take high dose folic acid: Women with a prior history of a child with neural tube defects, women with seizure disorders, insulin dependent diabetes, obese women (BMI > 35), women who have a first degree family history of a child with neural tube defect or belonging to a high risk ethnic group (eg, Sikhs in British Columbia).

High dose folic acid is typically 4 mg (NOT mcg) per day; however, some patient populations, like Class 1 obesity or patients with diabetes may only require 1 mg. But patients need to discuss this with their primary care provider to determine what's right. 

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