Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Muhammad Zubayr Saib, Barnesh Lalloo Dhada, Colleen Aldous, Helen Louise Malherbe
Summary: This study aimed to address the lack of data on congenital anomalies in South Africa, finding a birth prevalence rate of 15.57 per 1,000 live births at Edendale Hospital, with musculoskeletal system anomalies being the most common.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Melissa van der Windt, Sam Schoenmakers, Bas van Rijn, Sander Galjaard, Regine Steegers-Theunissen, Lenie van Rossem
Summary: Obese women are at higher risk of folate deficiency and neural tube defects, necessitating increased folic acid supplementation. However, the limited physiological uptake of synthetic folic acid and potential side effects require further research and personalized counseling.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jing Dong, Lin-Liang Yin, Xue-Dong Deng, Chun-Ya Ji, Qi Pan, Zhong Yang, Ting Peng, Jiang-Nan Wu
Summary: Early supplementation of folic acid (FA) during pregnancy reduces the risk of congenital malformations, especially heart defects. Starting FA supplementation 1.5 months before conception and continuing for 4 months is the optimal option for prevention of congenital malformations.
Article
Pediatrics
Joan K. Morris, Marie-Claude Addor, Elisa Ballardini, Ingeborg Barisic, Laia Barrachina-Bonet, Paula Braz, Clara Cavero-Carbonell, Elly Den Hond, Ester Garne, Miriam Gatt, Martin Haeusler, Babak Khoshnood, Nathalie Lelong, Agnieszka Kinsner-Ovaskainen, Sonja Kiuru-Kuhlefelt, Kari Klungsoyr, Anna Latos-Bielenska, Elizabeth Limb, Mary T. O'Mahony, Isabelle Perthus, Anna Pierini, Judith Rankin, Anke Rissmann, Florence Rouget, Gerardine Sayers, Antonin Sipek, Sarah Stevens, David Tucker, Christine Verellen-Dumoulin, Hermien E. K. de Walle, Diana Wellesley, Wladimir Wertelecki, Eva Bermejo-Sanchez
Summary: The study suggests that the failure to implement mandatory folic acid fortification in the 28 European countries has led to neural tube defects occurring in nearly 1,000 pregnancies every year.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Molla Taye
Summary: The study revealed differences in parents' knowledge and beliefs about congenital malformations and their causes, with some being traditional beliefs while others are related to modern lifestyle factors. The findings highlight the challenges and impacts of congenital malformations on parents and their children, providing valuable information for designing preventive actions.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Marta Czarnowska-Kujawska, Joanna Klepacka, Olga Zielinska, Maria de Lourdes Samaniego-Vaesken
Summary: The dietary supplements market in Poland has a high number of products containing folic acid, but many of them do not meet the declared values on the labels, raising concerns about inaccurate information. The results indicate the urgent need for improvements in the notification system and monitoring the authenticity of these products to ensure consumers are provided with accurate folic acid supplements.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Hanqi Luo, Kenneth H. Brown, Christine P. Stewart, Laurel A. Beckett, Adrienne Clermont, Stephen A. Vosti, Jules M. Guintang Assiene, Reina Engle-Stone
Summary: Different models predicting the effects of folic acid fortification programs on neural tube defects show wide variation in estimated outcomes, with some results being implausible, undermining the utility of the models for users. It is recommended to collect dietary and biomarker data concurrently to validate the models, and models based on erythrocyte folate concentration are recommended for their biological plausibility and consistency with empirical evidence.
ADVANCES IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Kelei Li, Xianfeng Shao, Huiying Li, Xiaotong Kuang, Xiaolei Song, Yan Wang, Suqin Zhu, Duo Li
Summary: This study found that a combination of folic acid and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has a better preventive effect on neural tube defects induced by maternal diabetes compared to folic acid alone. The combination treatment reduced neuroepithelial cell apoptosis and regulated the expression of key genes involved in diabetes-induced defects. The combination therapy also attenuated diabetes-induced hypermethylation and overexpression of genes related to one-carbon metabolism and lowered levels of homocysteine.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Marion L. Roche, Kaitlyn L. Samson, Tim J. Green, Crystal D. Karakochuk, Homero Martinez
Summary: Weekly iron and folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) is a key effective action for improving adolescent nutrition recommended by WHO, but the formulation is not included in the Model Essential Medicines List (MEML) currently. Recent folic acid efficacy trial may provide evidence for potential inclusion of WIFAS on MEML to accelerate global efforts in anemia and NTD reduction.
ADVANCES IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Mingming Cui, Xiao-Lin Lu, Yan-Yu Lyu, Fang Wang, Xiao-Lu Xie, Xi-Yue Cheng, Ting Zhang
Summary: The survey showed that most pregnant women in China are aware of folic acid (FA), but the rate of preconception intake of FA needs to be improved, especially among women in rural areas, homemakers, and those with unplanned pregnancies.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Apolline Imbard, Leslie Schwendimann, Sophie Lebon, Pierre Gressens, Henk J. Blom, Jean-Francois Benoist
Summary: One-carbon metabolism plays a crucial role in cell metabolism and mammalian development, being involved in the synthesis or modification of various compounds. The gene expression patterns of enzymes related to 1C metabolism show significant changes during development, with tissue-specific differences observed in the liver and brain.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anna Linnell, Niamh Murphy, Jon Godwin, Alexandra Cremona
Summary: This study found suboptimal folic acid supplementation practices among the antenatal population, particularly in women with obesity. Increased patient education and awareness are needed to align folic acid supplementation practices with best practice guidelines during the antenatal period.
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohammed Oumer, Anteneh Ayelign Kibret, Amanuel Girma, Ashenafi Tazebew, Mezgebu Silamsaw
Summary: This study focused on determining the birth prevalence of anencephaly in Africa, finding that it occurs at least in one per thousand births. Higher burden of anencephaly was detected in countries like Ethiopia, Algeria, and Eritrea. The research showed that studies conducted after 2010 and including both live births and stillbirths reported a higher prevalence of anencephaly.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shaoyan Chang, Jie Min, Xiaolin Lu, Qingyu Zhang, Shaofang Shangguan, Ting Zhang, Li Wang
Summary: Proper imprinting of Dlk1-Dio3 is crucial for embryogenesis, and folic acid deficiency can affect its imprinting through epigenetic regulation. Abnormal imprinting status of Dlk1-Dio3 is associated with neural tube defects caused by folate deficiency. Folic acid deficiency leads to changes in miRNA expression, especially upregulation of miR-370, which can contribute to the development of neural tube defects.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Ying Zhao, Duoyuan Chen, Jianping Tang, Yufang Zheng, Ji Qi, Hongyan Wang
Summary: Dietary folate deficiency can lead to genome instability and birth defects. A study using mice found that a folate-deficient diet for two generations increased the rate of de novo mutations and suggested that these mutations accumulate in gamete cells. The study also indicated that both maternal and paternal folate supplementation may be necessary and beneficial in preventing birth defects.
