The importance of folic acid use in pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy is a unique period in a woman's life. Intensive growth and fetal development are to cause significant physiological changes in mothers' organisms. Adequate intake of nutritive elements represents a way to prevent congenital anomalies associated with dietary deficiency. There are numerous dietary suggestions for the period before conception, during pregnancy, as well as during lactation, from many health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO). Studies from the late nineties of the 20th century suggest considerable significance between folic acid intake and preventing neural tube deficits. Neural tube deficits are a group of congenital anomalies we see in everyday work with patients, the most common being spina bifida and anencephaly. Prescribing adequate therapy as soon as during family planning is significant for successful development during pregnancy and wishful outcomes after birth.