A recent study by the University of Toronto and Mount Sinai has revealed that despite the known benefits of folic acid in preventing congenital abnormalities, many women in Canada remain unaware of its importance, particularly among specific demographic groups. Folic acid, a B9 vitamin, plays a crucial role in the early development of a baby’s brain and spinal cord and is essential for preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Researchers, including Vrati Mehra, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Claire Jones, a fertility expert at Mount Sinai, examined data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). They found that one in four women of reproductive age are unaware that they should take folic acid before and during pregnancy. Dr. Jones stressed the importance of this supplement in reducing the risk of birth defects, particularly neural tube defects, which have been a longstanding concern in Canada.
In 1998, the Canadian government began fortifying foods like pasta and grains with folic acid as part of a public health initiative. These efforts were complemented by awareness campaigns aimed at educating women of reproductive age about the importance of supplementation. While this initiative resulted in increased access to folic acid in everyday foods like leafy greens, the new study reveals that knowledge gaps persist. Specifically, the research suggests that folic acid should ideally be taken three months prior to pregnancy, but many women only start after they discover they are pregnant, missing the critical window.
“If you start taking folic acid after finding out you’re pregnant, you’ve already missed that critical window,” Mehra explained. She emphasized that starting folic acid before conception ensures that blood levels are high enough to support a healthy pregnancy from the very beginning. Data from the study shows that although 77.9% of women were aware of folic acid’s benefits, only 57.7% had used it prior to pregnancy. This awareness rate has remained stagnant over the past decade, with certain groups, such as those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or with lower education levels, being less likely to understand its importance.
Mehra pointed out that women who do not have access to regular healthcare, such as a family doctor, are also less likely to be informed about folic acid. Additionally, the affordability of folic acid was discussed as a potential barrier to its widespread use, although the supplement is inexpensive, with a three-month supply typically costing just $12. Both Mehra and Dr. Jones suggest that including folic acid in health benefits plans could improve access and help reduce these barriers.
Beyond preventing neural tube defects, folic acid also offers protection against other congenital abnormalities, including heart defects, limb malformations, and genitourinary issues. To be effective, supplementation needs to start before conception, as even low doses can make a significant difference. Dr. Jones recommends a daily dose of 400 micrograms for most women, but advised those with underlying medical conditions or those on medications to consult a doctor about the appropriate dosage.
Dr. Jones concluded, “It would be so nice if people came and asked, ‘What can I do to optimize having a healthy, live birth?’ That’s ultimately what we want—to help people not just get pregnant, but to have healthy families.”
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