Spina bifida and anencephaly, the most common neural tube defects, affect approximately 4,000 pregnancies in the US annually. Folic acid supplementation before conception and during the first trimester has been shown to significantly reduce the defects. Therefore, all women of childbearing age are advised to consume 0.4 mg/day of folic acid to reduce the risk of having a pregnancy affected by neural tube defects. Adequate folate nutrition must occur at the time of conception because critical folate-dependent development occurs in the first weeks of fetal life- at a time when many women are not yet aware of their pregnancy.
Folic acid goes through the one carbon folate metabolism, which plays a role in cell proliferation by making purines and pyrimidines needed for DNA/RNA synthesis and to help with methylation to regulate gene expression. There is a study where embryos of diabetic mice have an increased risk of NTDs because the expression of Pax-3 is down regulated in these embryos, which results in increase in apoptotic cells.
Article Neural Tube Defects in Embryos of Diabetic Mice: Role of the...
Spina bifida and anencephaly, the most common neural tube defects may be avoided by supplementation of folic acid in pregnant women.
Dear, Alta'ee
Previous knowledge, proved that there is an a biochemical interference (association) between the folic acid and carbon one folate metabolism. It was play an a major role in the growth, development and proliferation of the especially for the neural tube in relation with first stage of fetus growing, development and differentiation of; muscles, bones and nerves that 's finally associate with DNA and RNA genes synthesis and then gene expression which specifically happened with fetus developmental stages that in special goes with the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, recommend pregnant women to take a standard doses of folate tablets before and during time of pregnancy.
Best,regards
NASEER ALUKHTAR
Folic acid is important in cell division and DNA synthesis. Studies have shown a decrease in prevalence of Neural Tube Defects with the use of folic acid periconceptionally.
Best regards
GODFREY TOWO