Neural Tube Defects Research Paper

12. The effect on the blood folate levels were that the exposed group had lower levels of folate left in the blood.

A deficiency of folate increases the risk of NTDs, as well as contributing to hyperhomocystinemia, a condition associated with increased cardiovascular disease and NTDs so women should take 0.4mg to reduce the risk of NTDs within the fetus.

The prevalence went down from Oct 1998 to Dec 1999 was 2.02 per 10,000 live births. It reduced by 22.9% (Mark, 2016). Later in the years from 1999-2000 and 2003-2005, the prevalence of spina bifida falls by 6.9%. The reason of the decrease is still unknown. This decreases the prevalence of spina bifida with black population, but not within the white or Hispanic population. Those frequencies about spina bifida had been evaluated toward 1-2 cases for every 1000 population, with certain population hosting a greater frequency based on genetic predilection. Research showed folate can reduce spina bifida by 70% and decrease the severity of the disease. Myelomeningocele is the most common form of spina bifida. In the United States, approximately 1500 babies are born with myelomeningocele each year (Mark, 2016). The myelomeningocele and other neural tube defect had been declined since 20th century. According to CDC, the prevalence of spina bifida is higher in white and Hispanic population, than in the black population. According to Mark, spina bifida is detected 2 and 1.96 per in 10,000 live birth in Hispanic and white population and 1.74 per 10,000 live birth in black

We need to supplement minimum 400 microgram folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine called neural tube defects. Dietary sources are fortified cereals, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, dried

Rationale: According to Rao & Georgieff (2007), there is an association between pregnancy and an increase demand for iron. Pregnancy demands about 1,000 mg of additional iron due to the expanding RBCs and plasma volumes of the mother and the growing placenta. Maternal iron is important for the transfer of the necessary amount of iron to the fetus, important for the development and function of the organ systems. Mothers with a poor iron status and malnutrition can lead to iron deficiency anemia, especially if the woman had insufficient iron before pregnancy (Perry, Hockenberry, Lowdermilk & Wilson,

Iron is needed in 14.8mg by both groups of women this is because the absorption rate of iron increases during pregnancy although a woman's body needs more iron than usual to produce all the blood needed to supply nutrition to the placenta. Good sources of iron are green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, strawberries, muesli and wholemeal bread. 10 per cent of women may need iron supplement due to menstrual losses therefore in that case their intake of iron could increase, but for women where this is not the case there is no increase. Zinc is needed 7.0mg for both groups this is because the absorption rate of zinc increases during pregnancy but in the first 4months of lactating this increases by 6.0mg then over 4 months increases by 2.5mg this is due to the fact that zinc is needed for the development of the baby. Vitamin A is needed in 600 µg in women aged 19-50 but for pregnant woman its increased by 100µg and when pregnant women are lactating there is a further increasing of 350µg the increase is Important for cell growth, eye development, healthy skin and mucous membranes, infection resistance, bone growth, fat metabolism, and red blood cell production and postpartum tissue repair. Thiamine is needed in 0.8mg but in pregnant women this is increased by 0.1mg and when the women are lactating it’s increased by a further 0.2mg as it

It is thought that nutrients insufficiency plays crucial role in preeclampsia development in pregnant women. Micronutrients and vitamins have clinical antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and they are substantial for normal placentation by acting on placental endothelial function. In addition, nutrients contribute to the spiral artery remodeling and angiogenesis. (Ilekis et al., 2017).

Pregnancy is a basic time of versatility whereby fetal improvement might be fundamentally affected by natural components, for example, maternal supplements and hormones, and in addition the acquired hereditary profile. There is a solid potential for these elements to apply an enduring effect on the posterity's development and wellbeing into adulthood.

Taking vitamin pills plays a positive role for both pregnant women and women trying to get pregnant because the amount of folic acid they are advised to consume each day will help fertility and the development of the baby. The advised amount of folic acid for pregnant women is four hundred micrograms which clashes with the amount of folic acid we consume in our daily diet which is only two hundred, thus folic acid vitamin pills would compensate for the extra two hundred micrograms needed. There are certain vitamins that can contribute to the lack of

The primary concern associated with high folic acid intake is that whilst it will improve megaloblastic anaemia, it may obscure an underlying B12 deficiency. The concern stems from the fact that the megaloblastic anaemia that results from folate deficiency cannot be distinguished from that caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, due to the final common pathway of the major intracellular metabolic roles of the two vitamins (Brunton, 2011). Vitamin B12 deficiency gives rise to a specific type of megaloblastic anaemia termed pernicious anaemia, which is caused by impaired uptake of B12 in the body due to a lack of intrinsic factor secreted by gastric parietal cells. Whilst folate deficiency is not generally associated with neurological abnormalities, undiagnosed B12 deficiency can cause significant, permanent neurological damage such as dementia and psychosis. The tolerable upper intake of 1.0 mg of folic acid per day as estimated by the FDA is thus based on the ability of folate to obscure the neurological manifestations of vitamin B12

Folic acid plays a major role in encouraging a baby’s neurological development. It is also healthy for the mom to consume because it is a B vitamin (B9) found mostly in leafy green vegetables. Mainly like kale and spinach, orange juice, and enriched grains. In the fetus, folic acid helps the neural tube. By helping with the neural tube it matures into the brain and spinal cord, growth. Without folic acid, the neural tube may not close correctly, and cause problems. The baby can develop spinal bifida. Spinal bifida is a

Neural tube deficiency happens in about 80,000 and 100,000 pregnancies in China. It causes the offspring to be born with defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They happen in the first month of pregnancy and both genetic and environments contribute to the cause. Numerous prospective, retrospective and controlled trial studies have suggested proper folic acid supplementation for pregnant women can reduce the incidence of NTDs in their offspring. Association between folic acid supplementation or dietary folate intake and NTDs risk may be affected by maternal body mass index. Studies have suggested the risk of NTDs in offspring among obese mothers have not decreased. Body mass index greater than 31kg is at risk of delivering an offspring with NTDs. Other studies find more than 400mg of folate intake from diet per day is only protective against NTDs in women who weigh less than 154.3Ibs. A total of 459 pairs of participants took part in the study: 259 pairs were from Shandong Province and 200 pairs were from Shanxi Province. Mothers who gave birth to healthy infants in the same area, same hospital and within the same time as the another group was the controlled groups. The mothers were separated by Underweight/normal weight BMI less than 24.0 and overweight/obese mothers BMI greater than 24.0. Given folic acid was defined as taking 0.4mg of a folic acid tablet and categorized folic acid supplementation into four groups: never used, preconception use, use within 3 months

Folate acid is a B vitamin that is essential to humans and can be found in a large variety of foods including leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, wholemeal bread, yeast, and liver. Pteroylmonoglutamic acid or commonly known as folic acid is the man made version of folate. Folic acid is used in dietary supplements as it is easier to absorb into the body and is stable, compared to the naturally produced folate. Unlike natural folate, which is instantly absorbed by the mucosa of the small intestine, folic acid requires an initial reduction and methylation in the liver before it can be absorbed by the small intestines to be used in our body. This is where the problems lies. As folic acid is quick to absorb but slow to be metabolised, there will be a build up of both of them in our bodies. There is speculation going around that this extra build up of folate and folic in our body puts the New Zealand population at risk for death and disability from other diseases and nutritional deficiencies.

Women of childbearing age are recommended to take 600mcg DFE during pregnancy, starting before conception if possible and 500ug while breastfeeding. However, when adequate physiologic levels of folate decline it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. Children born to mothers with inadequate intake of supplemental folic acid during pregnancy suffer from devastating neural tube defects. Adults often present with symptoms of macrocytic or megaloblastic anemia and increased levels of the amino acid homocystein, which can be potentially neurotoxic.20 Several studies have also linked folate deficiency to increased risk for developing cognitive deficits and depression.20

Neural tube defects have a very negative impact on our society. Adding folic acid to our food will have positive social implications because it will reduce the occurrence of babies diagnosed with NTDs. Since the USA’s mandatory fortification of folic acid in 1998, statistics have revealed that there are approximately 1300 less NTD cases than pre-fortification statistics indicated.10 This would significantly benefit families who would instead have healthy babies, saving them the emotional distress of having a child with an NTD and allowing them to live without the high demands and healthcare costs involved with caring for a child with an NTD. This will also impact the wider society, as babies with NTDs have a large impact on society due to the significant costs to the health and disability sectors. A reduction in the number of babies requiring lifelong care will save society millions of dollars and will greatly improve the quality of life of the babies themselves.