is folic acid fortification making a difference?
Simmons CJ; Mosley BS; Fulton-Bond CA; Hobbs CA Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72211, USA. BACKGROUND: Since 1998, fortification of grain products with folic acid has been mandated in the United States, in an effort to reduce the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs). Published reports have shown a reduction in the prevalence of spina bifida since fortification was mandated, but no published studies have reported a reduction in birth defects, other than NTDs, that are postulated to be associated with folic acid deficiency. This study was performed to determine if fortification has reduced the prevalence of NTDs and other birth defects in Arkansas. METHODS: Using data from the Arkansas Reproductive Health Monitoring System, prevalences were computed for thirteen specific birth defects with prior evidence supporting a protective effect of folic acid or mu
