A comprehensive evaluation of food fortification with folic acid for the primary prevention of neural tube defects

被引：97

作者：

Liu S. ^{[1
]}

West R. ^{[2
]}

Randell E. ^{[3
]}

Longerich L. ^{[2
]}

O'Connor K.S. ^{[4
]}

Scott H. ^{[5
]}

Crowley M. ^{[6
]}

Lam A. ^{[3
,7
]}

Prabhakaran V. ^{[8
]}

McCourt C. ^{[1
]}

机构：

[1] Hlth. Surveillance/Epidemiology Div., Ctr. for Healthy Human Development, PPHB, Ottawa, Ont.

[2] Division of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Nfld.

[3] Health Sciences Centre, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Nfld.

[4] Pub. Health Res. Educ./Devmt. Prog., Frontenac/Lennox/Addington Health U., Kingston, Ont.

[5] Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.

[6] Provincial Medical Genetics Program, Health Care Corp. of St. John's, St. John's, Nfld.

[7] Department of Earth Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont.

[8] London Health Sciences Centre, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont.

来源：

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | / 4卷 / 1期

关键词：

Folic Acid; Neural Tube Defect; Folic Acid Intake; Food Fortification; Folic Acid Fortification;

D O I：

10.1186/1471-2393-4-20

中图分类号：

学科分类号：

摘要：

Background: Periconceptional use of vitamin supplements containing folic acid reduces the risk of a neural tube defect (NTD). In November 1998, food fortification with folic acid was mandated in Canada, as a public health strategy to increase the folic acid intake of all women of childbearing age. We undertook a comprehensive population based study in Newfoundland to assess the benefits and possible adverse effects of this intervention. Methods: This study was carried out in women aged 19-44 years and in seniors from November 1997 to March 1998, and from November 2000 to March 2001. The evaluation was comprised of four components: I) Determination of rates of NTDs; II) Dietary assessment; III) Blood analysis; IV) Assessment of knowledge and use of folic acid supplements. Results: The annual rates of NTDs in Newfoundland varied greatly between 1976 and 1997, with a mean rate of 3.40 per 1,000 births. There was no significant change in the average rates between 1991-93 and 1994-97 (relative risk [RR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-1.34). The rates of NTDs fell by 78% (95% CI 65%-86%) after the implementation of folic acid fortification, from an average of 4.36 per 1,000 births during 1991-1997 to 0.96 per 1,000 births during 1998-2001 (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.35). The average dietary intake of folic acid due to fortification was 70 μg/day in women aged 19-44 years and 74 μg /day in seniors. There were significant increases in serum and RBC folate levels for women and seniors after mandatory fortification. Among seniors, there were no significant changes in indices typical of vitamin B12 deficiencies, and no evidence of improved folate status masking haematological manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency. The proportion of women aged 19-44 years taking a vitamin supplement containing folic acid increased from 17% to 28%. Conclusions: Based on these findings, mandatory food fortification in Canada should continue at the current levels. Public education regarding folic acid supplement use by women of childbearing age should also continue. © 2004 Liu et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

引用

页数：10

共 45 条

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