- Title
- Flour fortification and the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs)
- Creator
- Beckett, Emma; Lucock, Mark
- Relation
- Flour and breads and their fortification in health and disease prevention p. 435-442
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814639-2.00034-4
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- book chapter
- Date
- 2019
- Description
- Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of major congenital anomalies resulting from very early disruption in the development of the central nervous system; they include spina bifida, anencephaly, and encephalocele. These conditions are incurable and often incompatible with life, resulting in stillbirths, as well as neonatal, infant, and under-five child mortality; along with lifelong disability and substantial health-care costs for survivors. It is well established that adequate levels of periconceptional folic acid substantially reduce the prevalence of NTDs. While many countries recommend periconceptional folic acid supplementation, others have introduced programs of mandatory folic acid fortification in flour used for bread-making to ensure an adequate supply of folic acid to women of reproductive age. Although regimens of fortification vary widely around the world, these programs have largely been successful, with significant reductions in the prevalence of NTDs. However, controversies surrounding potential side effects of excess exposure remain, and uptake of fortification programs has not been universal.
- Description
- 2nd ed.
- Subject
- neural tube defects (NTDs); spina bifida; folate; folic acid; reproduction; SDG 3; Sustainable Development Goals
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1436288
- Identifier
- uon:39975
- Identifier
- ISBN:9780128146392
- Language
- eng
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