Folic acid

• Couples are at high risk of conceiving a child with a NTD if:

  • Either parent has an NTD, a previous pregnancy affected by an NTD, or there is a family history of NTD
  • Woman is taking anti-epileptic medication
  • The woman has diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anaemia, or thalassaemia
  • Woman has BMI or 30 or more
• Neural tube defects (NTD):

  • Spina bifida - incomplete closing of the spine and membranes around the spinal cord during early development
  • Anencephaly - born without parts of brain and skull
  • Encephalocele - sac like protrusion of the brain and membranes that cover it through an opening in the skull
• Women who are at normal risk for an NTD:

  • Take folic acid 400mcg daily
  • Continue this until week 12 of pregnancy
• Women at high risk of NTD:

  • Take folic acid 5mg daily
  • Continue until week 12 of pregnancy
  • Women with sickle cell disease or thalassaemia should take folic acid 5mg daily throughout pregnancy