Effects of Folic Acid on Prenatal Development
Article Review Week 1
Melissa Cook
Davenport University

This article discusses how taking folic acid during prenatal development is an asset for proper child development. Folic acid has shown to decrease some birth defects as well as a preventative for other congenital abnormalities. “The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and prevention recommend that women of childbearing age consume 0.4mg of folic acid per day” (Wehby & Murray, 2008). It can be taken as a supplement in a multivitamin, on its own and in certain foods.
This vital nutrient has been noted to decrease instances of neural tube defects. The neural tube forms during the embryonic period …show more content…
It can also be “linked with a seventy percent lower risk of delivering between twenty and twenty-eight weeks and a fifty percent lower risk of delivering between twenty-eight and thirty-two weeks” (Santrock, 2015).
Folic acid can be found not only in a direct supplement but in many foods. Folic acid is part of the B vitamin group. It is also known as folate and assists to create healthy new cells within the body. Some cereal companies have begun to fortify their cereals and grains with folic acid due to the benefits in prenatal development. Folic acid can also be found in orange juice and spinach. However, foods alone cannot provide the necessary dietary requirements of folic acid so supplements need to be taken along with a healthy balanced diet. (U.S Deparrtment of Health and Human Services, 2012)
This article further discusses a study done of 6,774 mothers with single births. In this study it suggests that while folic acid has significant positive effects on the prevention of birth defects and congenital abnormalities, further study needs to be done to determine its effect on child development in areas such as language skills, personal-social skills, gross-motor skills, and fine-motor …show more content…
The proteins, vitamins, and minerals that the mother takes in assist in the growth and physical development of the embryo. Folic acid plays an important role in preventing certain defects and congenital abnormalities.
This article emphasized the importance of not only proper diets during prenatal development but the addition of folic acid in the first trimester or prior to conception. It mirrors the textbooks discussion of the importance of folic acid and other supplements for proper fetal development and prevention of certain defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly as well as folic acids role in preventing other congenital abnormalities. (Wehby & Murray,