03.01.07
Indication: Cleft lip palate
Source: British Medical Journal, January 26, 2007;Epub ahead of print.
Research:
This population-based study was conducted in Norway, which has one of the highest rates of facial clefts in Europe and does not allow foods to be fortified with folic acid. The investigators contacted all families of newborn infants with clefts (either cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) or cleft palate only (CPO)) born between 1996 and 2001 in Norway. The study included 377 babies with CLP and 196 with CLO; as well as 763 control babies randomly selected from all live births in Norway. The researchers mailed two questionnaires to all mothers participating in the study. The first questionnaire mailed soon after delivery focused on general health information, including demographics, reproductive history and information about environmental exposures including smoking, alcohol and vitamins; whereas the second questionnaire focused on nutrition and diet during the pregnancy. Mothers who reported taking folic acid supplements and or multivitamins were asked to send in their empty bottles or labels to confirm dosage. The nutrition questionnaire included questions on mothers’ fruit and vegetable consumption during the first three months of pregnancy.
Results:
The researchers estimated that 22% of isolated CLP cases in Norway could be averted if all pregnant women took 400 micrograms of folic acid per day.
Source: British Medical Journal, January 26, 2007;Epub ahead of print.
Research:
This population-based study was conducted in Norway, which has one of the highest rates of facial clefts in Europe and does not allow foods to be fortified with folic acid. The investigators contacted all families of newborn infants with clefts (either cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) or cleft palate only (CPO)) born between 1996 and 2001 in Norway. The study included 377 babies with CLP and 196 with CLO; as well as 763 control babies randomly selected from all live births in Norway. The researchers mailed two questionnaires to all mothers participating in the study. The first questionnaire mailed soon after delivery focused on general health information, including demographics, reproductive history and information about environmental exposures including smoking, alcohol and vitamins; whereas the second questionnaire focused on nutrition and diet during the pregnancy. Mothers who reported taking folic acid supplements and or multivitamins were asked to send in their empty bottles or labels to confirm dosage. The nutrition questionnaire included questions on mothers’ fruit and vegetable consumption during the first three months of pregnancy.
Results:
The researchers estimated that 22% of isolated CLP cases in Norway could be averted if all pregnant women took 400 micrograms of folic acid per day.