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This report looks at trends in blood folate levels by race and
ethnicity among women of childbearing age.
Folate is a B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. Folic acid,
used in supplements and added to fortified food, is the man-made
form of folate.
All women of childbearing age who are able to get pregnant should
take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day to reduce the risk of
neural tube defects.
In January 1998, all makers of fortified grain products in the
United States were required to add folic acid to their foods.
- A 1999–2000 health survey found a significant increase in
(blood) folate levels among nonpregnant women of childbearing
age (18–44 years).
- Surveys from 2003–2004 showed that serum folate levels among
nonpregnant women aged 15–44 dropped 16% during 1999–2000. Red
blood cell (RBC) folate levels dropped 8%.
- The drop in serum and RBC folate levels was evident in all
three racial and ethnic groups studied: non-Hispanic whites,
non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican Americans.
- The largest drop was among non-Hispanic whites. However, in
all three surveys, the lowest levels of serum folate were among
non-Hispanic blacks.
- The following are possible reasons for these findings:
Changes in the number of women who take supplements with folic
acid.
Decreased amount of folate-rich and fortified foods being
eaten.
Changes over time in the amount of folic acid added to
enriched grain products.
Rise in risk factors linked with lower folate levels, such as
obesity.
- Data for this study were from the National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 1999–2000, 2001–2002,
and 2003–2004. NHANES is an annual survey of U.S. adults and
children. Participants are chosen through a sampling method so
that findings best represent the U.S. population. Everyone in
the survey is interviewed, undergoes a physical exam, and gives
a blood sample.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Folate status
in women of childbearing age, by race/ethnicity—United States,
1999–2000, 2001–2002, and 2003–2004. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
2007;55(51):1377–80.
Date:
January 14, 2008
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities
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