Folic Acid Supplementation for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects: An Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force

(Abstracted from JAMA 2017;317(2):190–203) Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common congenital anomalies reported in the United States, and periconceptional folic acid supplementation has been found to decrease the recurrence risk of NTDs. The primary aim of this US Preventive Services Task Force study was to review the existing data on use of folic acid supplementation for preventing NTDs and to provide an updated/revised recommendation statement.