According to a recent national survey, 52% of adults in the United States reported using at least one dietary supplement. Among the most popular are vitamin and mineral supplements, which are taken by 48% and [...]
Current research suggests that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) occur as a result of events that take place during pregnancy. While genetic factors play an important role, non-heritable risk factors contribute to a substantial proportion of [...]
Neural tube defects are among the most common major congenital anomalies in the United States and are associated with significant disability and death. The risk of neural tube defects can be prevented with daily folic [...]
The CDC, the U.S. Public Health Service, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) all recommend that every woman of reproductive age get 400 micrograms (400 mcg) or 0.4 milligrams of folic acid [...]
Several studies have observed that fetal exposure to the antiepileptic drug (AED), valproic acid (Depakote), may significantly increase the risk of having a child with an autism spectrum disorder. In contrast, exposures to other AEDs, [...]
In our community of perinatal psychiatrists, we have recently seen many questions regarding the use of folic acid supplementation in women taking lamotrigine (Lamictal). While all recognize that all women of childbearing age should receive [...]
There have long been concerns regarding the use of the anticonvulsant valproate (Depakote) during pregnancy. First trimester use of valproate has been associated with a 3-5% risk of neural tube defects, as well as [...]
It’s only been a few days since Johns Hopkins released the preliminary results of a study on folate levels and autism, and we have already received calls and emails regarding the findings. Unfortunately the [...]
Last week was National Folic Acid Awareness Week at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), so this seems like a great time to remind women (and their caregivers) of the importance of folic acid in the prevention of birth defects. By taking the recommended dosage of folic acid daily, women will reduce the risk of neural tube defects by 50% - 70%. In addition, women who take folic acid supplements are less likely to give birth to a child with an autism spectrum disorder.
In a recent editorial in The Annals of Internal Medicine entitled “Enough Is Enough: Stop Wasting Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements,” authors make a case that multivitamins are not a good value (Dec 17, 2013 issue). This editorial was based on new research that demonstrated that there was no association between multivitamin use and rates of mortality, cognitive decline and recurrent cardiovascular events in three different studies. The assertion that multivitamins are not worth the money was widely reported in the media.
