The Role of Folic Acid in Preventing Anemia among Pregnant Women:

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dc.contributor.authorEmmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu1 and Salma Abdi Mahmoud
dc.date.accessioned2024-12-30T11:59:58Z
dc.date.available2024-12-30T11:59:58Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.descriptionThis review explores the role of folic acid supplementation in preventing anemia during pregnancy, highlighting its mechanisms, benefits, and current recommendations. Additionally, the review examines the challenges faced in ensuring adequate folic acid intake, particularly in low-resource settings, and the importance of public health strategies to address these gaps. Folic acid is essential for red blood cell formation and the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs), a major concern in fetal development. Adequate intake of folic acid, particularly during early pregnancy, significantly reduces the risk of both anemia and NTDs, which can lead to serious maternal and fetal health issues.
dc.description.abstractAnemia during pregnancy is a common and significant global health issue, with folate deficiency being one of the major causes. Folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, plays a crucial role in preventing megaloblastic anemia by supporting red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and fetal development. This review explores the role of folic acid supplementation in preventing anemia during pregnancy, highlighting its mechanisms, benefits, and current recommendations. Additionally, the review examines the challenges faced in ensuring adequate folic acid intake, particularly in low-resource settings, and the importance of public health strategies to address these gaps. Folic acid is essential for red blood cell formation and the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs), a major concern in fetal development. Adequate intake of folic acid, particularly during early pregnancy, significantly reduces the risk of both anemia and NTDs, which can lead to serious maternal and fetal health issues. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends routine supplementation of 400 micrograms of folic acid daily for all pregnant women, with higher doses suggested for those at greater risk of deficiency. Public health strategies, such as folic acid fortification of staple foods, have proven effective in improving folate status and reducing the incidence of anemia and NTDs.
dc.identifier.citationObeagu EI, Mahmoud SA. The Role of Folic Acid in Preventing Anemia among Pregnant Women: A Review. Lifeline Medicine, 2025; 3(1): 19-26
dc.identifier.issnVolume 3 issue 1 (2025), Pp. 19-26
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.suza.ac.tz/handle/123456789/319
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLifeline Medicine
dc.titleThe Role of Folic Acid in Preventing Anemia among Pregnant Women:
dc.title.alternativeA Review
dc.typeArticle
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