Major congenital anomalies occur in 2% to 3% of live births. Neural tube defects (NTDs), cleft lip and palate, and cardiac anomalies are some of the most common. NTDs are a group of serious birth defects that affect the developing nervous system and include anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele. Birth records suggest that about 2500 babies with these birth defects, or 1 to 2 per 1000, are born each year in the United States. Some affected pregnancies are spontaneously or electively aborted. Over 95% occur to women without a prior family history of this disorder. Neural tube defects occur within 1 month of conception. Anencephaly and spina bifida are the most common NTDs and occur with about equal frequency, whereas encephalocele is seen less frequently. In anencephaly, there is partial or complete absence of the skull bones usually with a remnant of brain: it is almost always fatal before or shortly after birth. Spina bifida with meningomyelocele results from failure of the vertebral arches to close over an open neural tube defect, exposing the spinal cord and nerves. Although most cases of spina bifida are open, 10% to 15% are closed or covered by skin. Spina bifida is compatible with survival although in most cases individuals have moderate to severe disabilities and, in some cases, may have mental retardation. With encephalocele there is protrusion of the brain and/or its covering membranes through the skull, most often in the occipital region.

Folic acid supplementation has been shown to reduce the incidence and recurrence of NTDs and possibly reduce the occurrence of several other birth defects such as cardiac, orofacial, limb, and renal anomalies (see References1,2). For women without a prior history of NTDs, 4 of 5 studies reported decreases of 40% to 100% if folic acid was taken on a daily basis.3–8 For women with a prior history of NTDs, all published studies reported a similar reduction after folic acid supplementation.9–12 The dose of folic acid, either alone or part of a multivitamin preparation, varied between 400 to 5000 μg (0.4–5 mg) per day and was taken at least 1 month before conception and throughout the first trimester. Because neural tube closure occurs within the first 28 days after conception, which is often before the recognition of pregnancy, and because many pregnancies are unplanned, NTD prevention is best achieved by adequate daily folic acid intake throughout the reproductive years.

Women without a prior history of a NTD should ingest 400 μg (0.4 mg) of folic acid each day throughout their reproductive years, either as a supplement, in a multivitamin, from foods fortified with folic acid, or a combination of these.13 Available reports suggest that 400 μg (0.4 mg) is sufficient to cause a substantial reduction of NTDs (40%–80%, dependent on background NTD prevalence).8 While it is possible for women to increase their consumption of dietary folates by careful selection of foods, food folates are about half as bioavailable as synthetic folic acid. Fortification of staple food products with synthetic folic acid is an effective and inexpensive approach to increasing overall folic acid intake without the need for behavior change. Women are continuing to eat the foods they have always eaten (unless they choose to follow certain low carbohydrate diets), but are now receiving the benefits of folic acid that has been added to these foods. In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration mandated the fortification of enriched cereal grain flours with 140 μg synthetic folic acid per 100 grams of grain. Studies show that after fortification, prevalence of spina bifida decreased by 31%, and prevalence of anencephaly decreased by 16%.14 Although this is a step forward, the actual amount added may not be sufficient to protect against all folic acid-preventable NTDs. For women who have had a prior pregnancy with a NTD, following the report of the British MRC Vitamin Study,10 the Centers for Disease Control recommended supplementation with 4 mg of folate daily beginning at least one month before conception.15

Although Vitamin B12 deficiency is rare in women and children, there is concern that folic acid dosages exceeding 1000 μg (1.0 mg) per day may hinder the diagnosis of this condition, thereby allowing any neurological symptoms to progress to irreversible deficits. For most women, the recommended amounts of folic acid obtained from folic acid supplements and food fortification are unlikely to exceed the 1000 μg per day. Cumulative effects are unlikely since folic acid is highly water soluble and is rapidly excreted.

Because the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) is committed to the prevention of congenital anomalies, we support the following recommendations:

  • (1) Women capable of becoming pregnant should take 400 μg (0.4 mg) of folic acid daily, in the form of a supplement, multivitamin, and/or through fortified foods, in addition to eating a healthy diet. This is particularly important before conception and through the first trimester of pregnancy.

  • (2) Women who have had a prior NTD-affected pregnancy, who have a first-degree relative with a NTD, or who are themselves affected should consult with their physicians before becoming pregnant. They should obtain genetic counseling concerning their occurrence or recurrence risks, pregnancy management, and the appropriate folic acid intake for them. They may be advised to take 4000 μg (4.0 mg) of folic acid daily starting at least 1 month and preferably 3 months before conception.

  • (3) Because of a potential concern of masking timely detection of B12 deficiency, the total daily intake of folic acid should not exceed 1000 μg (1.0 mg) unless prescribed by a physician. Recent evidence, however, indicates that fortification has not led to a major increase in masking of vitamin B12 deficiency.16