Recommend Folic Acid in Pregnancy 🤰💊

Folic acid = synthetic folate (B9), essential for 📈 cellular growth & division. Critical for fetal 🍼 development & maternal health.

• Mechanism: 🚨 Key for DNA synthesis & repair. 💥 Supports rapid cell growth, especially in 👶 embryos.
• Indications: 🔑 Prevents Neural Tube Defects (NTDs): Spina bifida, anencephaly. 📖 Czeizel AE, et al. NEJM. 1992;327:1832-5.
• Dosing: 👩‍👧 Preconception & 1st trimester 400-800 mcg/day. ⚠️ Higher doses (4-5 mg) for ⬆️ risk (e.g., hx of NTDs). 📖 De-Regil LM, et al. Cochrane. 2010.
• Benefits: ✅ Prevents NTDs, may reduce congenital heart defects & orofacial clefts. 📖 Koren G, et al. Reprod Toxicol. 2006.
• Safety: 👍 Generally well-tolerated. ⚠️ Excess can mask B12 deficiency—balance is 🔑!

References

1. Czeizel AE, Dudás I, Vereczkey A, Bánhidy F. Folate deficiency and folic acid supplementation: the prevention of neural-tube defects and congenital heart defects. Nutrients. 2013;5(11):4760-4775.
2. De-Regil LM, Fernández-Gaxiola AC, Dowswell T, Peña-Rosas JP. Effects and safety of periconceptional folate supplementation for preventing birth defects. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(10):CD007950.
3. Lassi ZS, Salam RA, Haider BA, Bhutta ZA. Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy for maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;2013(3):CD006896.