Neural Tube defects

Estimated 4,000 affected pregnancies yearly.

About 2,500 babies born yearly.
1,500 babies born with spina bifida.
1,000 babies born with anencephaly.
About 1,500 fetuses are miscarried or terminated after
diagnosis.

Ref: Neurol Ther. 2012 Dec; 1(1): 4.

 After the egg and the sperm unite,
cells divide and multiply to form
an elongated structure as seen in
day 22.

A zippering effect closes the

groove or the tube beginning in
the center and going both up and
down as seen in day 23.
 Neural tube defects (ntds) are birth defects of the
brain and the spinal cord.

They occur when the neural tube, which later

becomes the brain and the spine, fails to close
properly.

Thishappens very early in pregnancy, between the

17th and the 28th day after conception.
 A defect may occur in the upper or lower portion of the
neural tube.

If the tube fails to close properly on the upper portion of

the neural tube, a brain defect called anencephaly or
another called encephalocele occurs.

If it fails to close properly along the lower portion of the

neural tube, a spinal defect called spina bifida occurs.
Anencephaly Encephalocel
e
Spina Bifida
Additional birth defects

Researchers Are Studying Other Potential Benefits Of

Multivitamins Containing Folic Acid.
Heart Defects
Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate
Limb Defects
Urinary Defects
 Institute Of Medicine

Recommends all women of reproductive age (capable

of becoming pregnant) consume 400 mcg/d of folic
acid from supplements or fortified foods, in addition to
a diet rich in food folate.
For women who have had a previous affected
pregnancy, folic acid supplementation of 4 mg/d is
recommended (under physician supervision).
Recommended Daily Value
Adults (14-years and older) 400 mcg/d

Pregnancy (all ages) 800 mcg/d

Breastfeeding (all ages) 400 mcg/d

Previously affected pregnancy 4000 mcg/d

 Folic Acid Knowledge
2003 Folic Acid Knowledge (All women 18-45y)

90% 79%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30% 21%
20% 10%
10%
0%
Aware of folic acid Know it prevents birth Know to take it before
defects pregnancy

March of Dimes Folic Acid Survey conducted by The Gallup Organization, August 2003
 Folic Acid
Folate is the natural (complex) form found in foods
such as dark-green leafy vegetables, broccoli,
asparagus, lentils, beans, peanuts, strawberries, kiwi,
orange juice, liver.

Folatein foods can be lost through processing and

cooking, reducing the amount of available folate.

A diet rich in folate is important, however the average

daily intake of folate from foods is about 200
micrograms.

Efficacy of folate absorption is estimated at 50%.

So, of the 200 micrograms that are eaten, only about
100 micrograms are actually used by the body
 Functions
L-methylfolate contributes to
Maternal tissue growth during pregnancy
Normal amino acid synthesis
Normal blood formation
Normal homocysteine metabolism
Normal psychological function
Normal function of the immune system
Reduction of tiredness and fatigue
Process of cell division
 Neufol
(L-methylfolate 400 mcg)

L-methylfolate is highly
bioavailable source of folic acid.
It is the natural, active form of
folic acid which is an integral
component of prenatal care,
homocysteine management,
depression treatment, dementia
and cardiovascular concerns.
L-methylfolate is a vitamin
essential for reproductive health.
 Advantages of L-Methylfolate
L-Methylfolate is the biologically active form of folic acid
L-Methylfolate is the natural, active form offolic acidused at the
cellularlevel
It bypasses several metabolic steps in the body as it is already
present in the absorbable form
L-methylfolate is a Novel form of Folate
More effective than folic acid
L-methylfolate is a high absorbable form of folic acid
L-methylfolate is the bioactive form of folic acid ready to use at
cellular level.
Unlike regular folic acid, L-methylfolate does not require
enzymatic conversion to L-methylfolate in the body
L-methylfolate is 7 times more bioavailable than folic acid
L-methylfolate is less likely to mask a vitamin B deficiency
compared to folic acid
L-methylfolate increases RBC folate better than folic aci d
Thanks