According to a new study published in the European Heart Journal, pregnant women and those planning on becoming pregnant should take folic acid supplements to help prevent fetal heart malformations.
For the study, researchers from the Netherlands looked at a national register of babies born with birth defects. They identified 611 mothers who delivered children with heart defects, matching them with 2,401 women who gave birth to children with genetic or other birth problems not associated with folic acid.
Giving birth to a child with a heart defect was 20 percent less likely for women who took a folic acid supplement of at least 400 micrograms compared to malformations not related to folic acid. Compared to the general population, the risk was 26 percent lower for women who took at least 400 micrograms of folic acid.
In the United States, bread and other foods made of wheat are required to be fortified with folic acid to prevent birth defects caused by lack of folic acid. Still, women should take a folic acid supplement before and during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects.
If your child’s birth defect or injury was caused by the negligence of a doctor or hospital, contact the birth injury attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today. We will evaluate your case for free and answer any legal questions you may have. Call us toll-free, 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit us online, www.ask4sam.net
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