Importance of Antenatal Folate Supplementation and Neural Tube Defects

Abstract

Birth defects are one of major burden in human public health with estimates from CDC every year. Neural tube defects are common complex multifactorial disorder in neurulation of brain and spinal cord that occur between 21 and 28 days of conception in human over past years incidence of neural tube defects (NTD’s) has been steadily decreased secondary to better nutrition and screening with maternal serum αFP [AlphaFeto Protein] and now ultrasonography. Therefore antenatal intake of folate plays major role in high risk women of child bearing age in preventing the neural tube defects which include anencephaly, spina bifida, meningocele, myelomeningocele and Craniorachischisis.