Knowledge and Use of Folic Acid by Women of Childbearing Age—United States, 1997

Abstract

Each year in the United States approximately 2500 infants are born with spina bifida and anencephaly (1), and an estimated 1500 fetuses affected by these birth defects are aborted. Recent studies indicate that the B vitamin folic acid can reduce the risk for spina bifida and anencephaly by at least 50% when consumed daily before conception and during early pregnancy. In September 1992, the Public Health Service (PHS) recommended that all women of childbearing age who are capable of becoming pregnant consume 0.4 mg of folic acid daily (1). Folic acid can be obtained from multivitamins or other supplements containing folic acid and some breakfast cereals. This report summarizes the results of a survey conducted during January-February 1995 regarding knowledge and practices of women of childbearing age in the United States about consumption of folic acid from supplements and breakfast cereals.