Information
March 2002
Folic Acid for the primary prevention of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)
All women who could become pregnant are at risk of having babies with neural tube defects
(NTDs). These are serious birth defects that consist of abnormalities in the baby's brain,
skull or spine.
Research has shown that women who take a daily vitamin supplement containing folic acid
before conception and in the early weeks of pregnancy can reduce the risk of having a baby
with a NTD.
It's never too early to speak to a health care professional about folic acid. Neural tube
defects happen in the early weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman realizes she is pregnant.
Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)
The neural tube is the part of the developing baby that eventually becomes the brain and
spinal cord. Neural tube defects occur when the neural tube fails to close properly during
the early weeks of the pregnancy. About 260 babies are born each year in Canada with a
NTD.
Spina bifida is the most common NTD. The effects of spina bifida are quite varied, and
can range from severe physical disabilities and developmental delay, to problems that can
be corrected by surgery. The most common effects are limited use of the lower limbs, and
bowel and bladder limitations.
Another NTD is anencephaly, a condition in which the brain either fails to develop completely,
or is totally absent. Pregnancies affected by this condition often end in miscarriage.
Babies with anencephaly who are born alive die very soon after birth.
Folic Acid Reduces the Risk of NTDs
Folic acid, or folate, is one of the B vitamins. It is essential to the normal development
of a baby's spine, brain, and skull, especially during the first weeks of pregnancy.
Women who could become pregnant should speak to their health professional about the folic
acid supplement that is best for them.
Women at Higher Risk
Women with a personal or family history of NTDs, should consult their doctor. They may
be advised to take a higher daily dosage of folic acid.
Women who have diabetes, obesity, or epilepsy may be at higher risk of having a baby with
a NTD. This should be discussed with their doctor before planning a pregnancy.
Good Nutrition is Key
Taking a vitamin supplement does not reduce or replace the need for a healthy, well-balanced
diet according to Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Good or excellent sources
of folic acid include dark green vegetables (broccoli, spinach, peas and brussels sprouts),
corn, dried peas, beans, lentils, oranges and orange juice.
Too Much of a Good Thing
Women should seek advice from a health professional about how to take folic acid.
In large doses, some of the ingredients in multivitamins can do more harm than good.
For More Information
More information about Health Canada's Folic Acid Campaign can be found at  www.healthcanada.ca/folicacid. This site also features
useful links to other sources of important information.
For general information about nutrition, see
For copies of the folic acid pamphlet, Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating, and Nutrition
for a Healthy Pregnancy: National Guidelines for the Childbearing Years, call (613)
954-5995, or write to: Health Canada Publications, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
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