Folic Acid Awareness and Education

Folic acid is a B-vitamin proven to decrease the risk of neural tube defects by 70% when taken daily, at least one month prior to conception. All women ages 12-45 should take a multivitamin that contains 400 micrograms of folic acid-- every day of every week, day after day, week after week, all of the childbearing years. The neural tube forms between day18-28 days of conception—before most women realize they are pregnant! And since half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, it is necessary for women to protect themselves, and the baby they may have someday in the future, by getting enough folic acid NOW! Neural tube defects are serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Spina bifida may cause paralysis of the legs, loss of bowel or bladder control, and hydrocephalus. Anencephaly causes the brain to be too small or missing completely, and-- it is always deadly.

In Kentucky in 1996, there were 66 babies born with open-spine defect, compared with 43 babies in 2000. Twenty-three fewer babies were born without this devastating defect. 

AND IT GETS BETTER…

In 2001 the numbers dropped to 26 babies born with open-spine defect—forty fewer babies—a 60% decrease since 1996. Folic acid helps save babies…

 In order to continue the increase in public awareness of folic acid and to increase the numbers of women ages 12-45 who consume folic acid daily; the National March of Dimes Organization and the Kentucky Department for Public Health fund grants to provide a Statewide Folic Acid Campaign Coordinator to organize, facilitate and evaluate activities occurring throughout Kentucky targeted to women ages 12-45. This position begun in 1999, is a part-time, three-day a week job. Susan Brown, RN ICCE IBCLC, serves in this position and is an employee of the Barren River District HD. She also teaches breastfeeding classes and provides lactation consults the other two days a week.

For more information contact

PROMOTE • PROTECT • PREVENT

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