Folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defect--a programme for Malaysia?
Ho, J.J.
Medical Journal of Malaysia 59(1): 94-99
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5283 PMID: 15535342 Document Number: 576004
There is good evidence that folic acid is safe and efficacious for reducing neural tube defect (NTD). All women capable of becoming pregnant should take 400 microgram daily. This can be given in the form of a daily vitamin supplement, by food fortification, or by increasing natural dietary folates. Compulsory grain fortification has been shown to reduce NTD in a population but supplementation and dietary advice have not. Malaysia should work towards a programme of grain fortification and use alternative strategies to reach sections of the population that would not be covered but several research questions need to be answered before a programme could be implemented in Malaysia.