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Folic acid and birth defect prevention |
| Alternative Names: |
| Prevention of birth defects with folic acid |
| Information: |
Question: Does folic acid use help prevent birth defects? Answer: There is good evidence that the risk of certain birth defects (spina bifida and anencephaly) are reduced by taking 0.4 milligrams of folic acid daily from 1 month before conception through the first trimester of pregnancy. |
Reviewed By: Catherine S. Bradley, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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