neural tube defects - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Folic Acid is Essential for All Women of Reproductive Age

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.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-06-09T17:45:25-04:00January 19th, 2015|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|1 Comment

Folic Acid Supplements Before and After Conception: Prevention of Autism

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.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-05-15T20:32:46-04:00January 29th, 2014|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Antenatal Exposure to Opioids May Increase the Risk of Neural Tube Defects

Previous studies have suggested a link between opioid exposure and increased risk of certain congenital malformations.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T09:28:13-04:00October 21st, 2013|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments