Public health nutrition
-
Public health nutrition · May 2013
ReviewImpact of folic acid fortification of flour on neural tube defects: a systematic review.
To review the impact of folic acid fortification of flour on the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD). ⋯ Fortification of flour with folic acid has had a major impact on NTD in all countries where this has been reported. Chile showed a 55 % reduction in NTD prevalence between 1999 and 2009. There is a need to constantly monitor the levels of flour fortification to maximize benefits and prevent the potential risk of folic acid excess, moreover to be vigilant for any new adverse effects associated with excess.