Folic Acid Supplementation to Prevent Neural Tube Defects Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force

( JAMA . 2023;330(5):460–466) Neural tube defects are among the most commonly recorded birth defects for babies in the United States, and they are typically caused by low folate concentrations during conception and early gestation. These malformations can cause disabilities and even death in fetuses and children. In 2017, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) determined that women who increase their intake of folic acid before becoming pregnant can significantly help reduce the likelihood of their babies developing neural tube defects. The USPSTF also asserted their 2009 recommendation that patients should take 0.4 to 0.8 mg (400 to 800 μg) of folic acid daily if they were planning or capable of pregnancy, and that there was no consistent strong evidence of harmful adverse effects. This evidence report was conducted to analyze studies post-2017 for the USPSTF’s current recommendation on folic acid supplementation.