Folate: A Key to Optimal Pregnancy Outcome

Summary

Folate is a water-soluble vitamin required for cell division and normal growth. Studies have definitively shown that when the synthetic form of the vitamin, folic acid, is taken during the periconceptional period, there is a significant reduction in risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) and findings have been translated into public health policy to increase intake through supplementation and fortification. Few women adhere to the recommendations to take folic acid supplements primarily because they have not been advised to do so by their health care provider. Restricted folate intake during pregnancy has also been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes including preterm delivery, low infant birth weight, and fetal growth retardation. Clinicians and health care practitioners have a unique opportunity to improve pregnancy outcome by providing advice to their patients who may become pregnant to take daily folic acid supplements, consume folic acid-fortified foods including ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, and to consume concentrated sources of natural dietary folate including dark green leafy vegetables, orange juice, nuts, and dried peas. It is imperative that all health care providers that work with women of childbearing age (including pregnant women) become knowledgeable about folate’s key role in reproduction and deliver the message that folate is a unique key to optimizing reproductive outcome.