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JAMA. 2004;292:325-326.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

MMWR. 2004;53:362-365

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Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious birth defects of the spine (e.g., spina bifida) and the brain (e.g., anencephaly) that occur during early pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant; 50%-70% of these defects can be prevented if a woman consumes sufficient folic acid daily before conception and throughout the first trimester of her pregnancy.¹ In 1992, to reduce the number of cases of spina bifida and other NTDs, the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) recommended that all women capable of becoming pregnant consume 400 µg of folic acid daily. Three approaches to increase folic acid consumption were cited: (1) improve dietary habits, (2) fortify foods with folic acid, and (3) use dietary supplements containing folic acid.¹ Mandatory fortification of cereal grain products went into effect in January 1998; during October 1998–December 1999, the reported prevalence of spina bifida declined 31%, and the . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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