Here Are The Dangers of Folate Deficiency For Pregnant Women

Folate (folic acid or vitamin B9) is a water soluble vitamin, and has a very important role in many bodily functions. This vitamin is particularly important in cell division and growth period. Children and adults require folic acid to produce red blood cells and prevent anemia. Folic acid is essential for pregnant women, because it will prevent neural tube defects (NTDs in babies), namely spina bifida (abnormalities of the spine) and anencephaly (a brain disorder which is not formed). With sufficient intake of folic acid in the period before and during pregnancy is about 0.4 - 0.8 mg per day, the risk of NTDs in babies can be reduced up to 80%. Women who plan to become pregnant should consume folic acid is enough, at least 4 months prior to pregnancy because of the risk of folic acid deficiency babies born with defects in the nervous system (brain) or neural tube defects.

Folic acid deficiency can cause the baby to be born with a cleft lip, low weight, down's syndrome, and vascular abnormalities. The destruction of the protective layer of blood vessels can cause the cord off prematurely. Other disorders that may occur is impaired infants and small bowel, the child can not walk upright and high emotion. In girls as adults do not menstruate. In pregnant women, folate deficiency can also lead to an increased risk of anemia, so the mother is tired, listless and pale.

In women who experience morning sickness in excess, are at risk of folate deficiency. Consumption of special milk for pregnant women or women planning a pregnancy, usually have there is the addition of folic acid in it. Consuming milk on the advice of the presentation, can meet the needs of folic acid a day. Folic acid is safe to eat up to 1000mcg limit, and if excessive can give side effects like nausea, decreased appetite, flatulence, and mild allergies.

Leafy vegetables such as spinach, turnips, dried beans and peas, cereals, sunflower seeds, and fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, are a rich source of folate. Eggs, liver, and whole grain products also include foods that contain folic acid.

Folic acid is very sensitive to light, oxygen and high temperatures. Because also rapidly dissolves in water, if the foods that contain folic acid washed, it often happens folic acid will be swept away by the water. Then it is also often the lack of Vitamin B9. Because it is advisable to consume vegetables that contain folic acid to be consumed in their raw form as in salads.

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Folate

Age	Male	Female	Pregnant	Lactating
Birth to 6 months*	65 mcg DFE*	65 mcg DFE*
7–12 months*	80 mcg DFE*	80 mcg DFE*
1–3 years	150 mcg DFE	150 mcg DFE
4–8 years	200 mcg DFE	200 mcg DFE
9–13 years	300 mcg DFE	300 mcg DFE
14–18 years	400 mcg DFE	400 mcg DFE	600 mcg DFE	500 mcg DFE
19+ years	400 mcg DFE	400 mcg DFE	600 mcg DFE	500 mcg DFE

* Adequate Intake (AI)

These Birth Defects Due To Folic Acid Deficiency, Important for Pregnant Women!

Did you know that folic acid deficiency in pregnant women can cause neural tube defects (spina bifida and hydrocephalus) in infants? Normally, folic acid removed from the blood fast enough, but in pregnant women, the kidneys will filter folic acid, out of the blood four times higher than normal speed. So, a pregnant woman should eat foods rich in folic acid or folic acid supplements on a regular basis in order to maintain the levels of folic acid in the blood remains high. In fact, for women who are planning to become pregnant are also advised to start taking 400 mcg of folic acid supplements every day for three months before attempting to conceive.

Folic acid is vital for pregnant women, because it serves to help the neural tube to close it with a normal fetus. Neural tube closure and surrounding bones, namely the spine, this happens very early in the development of an embryo-usually within four weeks after conception. If the neural tube closes late or fail to develop, the fetus at risk of paralysis, incontinence, or hydrocephalus (swelling of the brain).

Folic acid deficiency in pregnant women, according to a study may lead to defects in babies born. Babies have disabilities in the brain and spinal cord. Often the mothers did not realize she experienced deficiency of folic acid, because of unplanned pregnancies occur. Folic acid deficiency is mainly caused disruption of DNA metabolism, resulting in a change in the morphology of the nucleus of cells that divide rapidly, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and epithelial cells of the stomach and intestines, vagina and cervix of the uterus, inhibits folic acid deficiency causes growth megaloblastic anemia and other blood disorders, inflammation of the tongue (glossitis) and gastrointestinal disorders. According to WHO incidence of physical birth defects in the United States (US) 1.32 per 1,000 births among others due to folic acid deficiency.

Folic acid is a B vitamin, another name for vitamin B9. Our bodies require folic acid for the formation of new cells. Everyone needs folic acid. But for women who will be pregnant, it is very important! If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before she is pregnant, it can prevent brain and spinal disorders in infants. A woman needs folic acid daily, starting before pregnancy to prevent NTDs (neural tube defects). CDC and the US Public Health Service, encourages every woman to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.

One easy way for a woman to ensure that she'd been taking folic acid at a dose that is sufficient to take a vitamin containing folic acid every day. Folic acid supplements and multivitamins that contained most of the market contain 100% DV of folic acid (check the label to be convincing). Another way is to eat cereals are fortified with 100% DV of folic acid every day. Not every cereal has this amount. Check the label attached.

Disorders of birth due to folic acid deficiency, occurs in the first week of pregnancy, often before a woman realizes that she is pregnant. All women have to get used to taking folic acid every day even though they are not planning a pregnancy.