Q: How can blood folic acid concentration be maintained during pregnancy?
A: The blood folate levels increase when foods rich in folate or folic acid supplements are consumed. However, it could take several months of consuming 400 micrograms of folic acid everyday to achieve an ideal blood folate concentration. Hence it is best to start on folic acid supplements before pregnancy in order to achieve a high blood folate level to prevent neural tube defects.
Q: Will consuming folic acid work even if I have a variant of MTHFR?
A: Yes. MTHFR is the short form for an enzyme called methyltetrafolate reductase that determines the processing of folate in the body. Having particular variants of the enzyme can make the woman process folate at a much slower rate than otherwise. However, consuming 400 micrograms of folic acid before and during early pregnancy can increase folate levels to an extent of preventing NTDs.
Q: Which doctor should I consult for my unborn child, if my previous baby is diagnosed of having a birth defect?
A: You should consult your obstetrician / gynecologist and a genetic counselor.
Q: Is it possible to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs)?
A: Other than prenatal supplementation with 400 micrograms of folic acid that can significantly reduce the risk of having a child with a neural tube defect, there are no other possible steps to take to be completely sure of not having a baby with NTD.
Q: Will my child benefit if I detect an NTD prior to delivery?
A: There are certain steps that you or your doctor can take if you know your child might suffer from an NTD.
- Decide on a medical center that specializes in caring and providing treatments right after birth for babies born with NTDs.
- Decide on whether a natural or a cesarean birth is better.
- Decide on having a surgery to correct spina bifida on the baby while still in the womb; this surgery is more effective when performed in the womb than after birth.
Q: Does pain exist in adults with spina bifida?
A: Yes, neuropathic pain is present in adults with spina bifida that, according to a study, is not related to gender, completeness of injury or the neurological level.
Q: How do you detect anencephaly?
A: Anencephaly is diagnosed during pregnancy, with either a high level ultrasound or with an amniocentesis test.
Q: What is the difference between folic acid and folate?
A: Folate describes vitamin B9 that comes in forms like dihydrofolate (DHF) or tetrahydrofolate (THF). It is present in natural sources like beans, leafy green vegetables and orange juice.
Folic acid is the synthetic form that is used in supplements and in fortified or enriched foods like bread, breakfast cereals, cornmeal, flour, pastas and white rice.
Quite often, natural folate alone does not provide the daily recommended dose of folate. Hence women of child-bearing age have to also take folic acid supplement.
