Joan Glezelle M.

Babiera BSN2-B 26/10/21

EFFECTS OF FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY IN PREGNANCY

QUESTIONS:

1. Discuss the effects of inadequate intake of folate in gestation. Choose only 1 topic.
Summarize the most relevant information.

2. How does nutritional health impact intrauterine and extrauterine life?

3. What are your recommendations to prevent its occurrence?

1.) EFFECTS OF INADEQUATE INTAKE OF FOLATE IN GESTATION: Spina bifida

Folic acid is a form of folate (a B vitamin) that everyone needs. If you can get pregnant or are
pregnant, folic acid is especially important. Folic acid protects unborn babies against serious birth
defects. That is why, women who don’t get enough folate are at risk of having babies with neural
tube defects, such as spina bifida. According to CDC (2016), “Spina bifida is a condition that
happens when an unborn baby's spinal column does not fully close during development in the
womb, leaving the spinal cord exposed.” As a result, the nerves that control the legs and other
organs do not work. Children with spina bifida often have lifelong disabilities. They may also need
many surgeries.

2.) NUTRITIONAL HEALTH IMPACT ON INTRAUTERINE AND EXTRAUTERINE LIFE

To ensure maternal-fetal and infant health, a nutritious diet must be consumed during the
preconception period, pregnancy, and nursing. When planning the maternal diet, keep in mind that
inadequate vitamin and mineral intakes, as well as a high consumption of foods or drinks
containing refined sugar, raise the risk of low birth weight babies, whereas enough micronutrient
and carbohydrate intake can reduce it. Fish eating during pregnancy is also linked to decreased
intrauterine development retardation.Intrauterine growth retardation caused by maternal
nutritional deficiencies can affect the expression of certain genes, resulting in abnormity. Nutrition
is more crucial than ever while you're pregnant. Many essential nutrients are required in greater
quantities during pregnancy than before. Making good food choices on a daily basis can help you
provide your kid with the nutrients he or she requires to grow. It will also assist you and your kid
in gaining the appropriate amount of weight. With that being said, Nutrition is eating a nutritious
and well-balanced diet to ensure that your body receives the nutrients it need. Nutrients are
nutrients found in meals that our bodies require to operate and flourish. Carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water are among them.

3.) MY RECOMMENDATIONS:

Based on what I've read about the various cases of pregnancy in women whose babies have spina
bifida, in order to prevent the occurrence of spina bifida, health education is the foundation for
preventing this serious disease, as well as a combination of food fortification, awareness raising of
health workers, women, and increased folic acid supply. Women, particularly first-time moms and
mothers from low-income families, should be taught the necessity of getting enough folate and
other vital vitamins, which are needed for the development, growth, and protection of the baby.
Apart from that, pregnant moms should be taught the need of these following practices:

• a well-balanced diet such would be consuming foods that are fortified with folic acid and
protein. Healthy sources of protein include beans, peas, eggs, lean meats, seafood, and
unsalted nuts and seeds.
• regular exercise,
• adequate relaxation, as well as the right intake of key vitamins,
• Intake of folate on notably on a daily basis: Folic acid intake, folic acid is a B vitamin that
may help prevent certain birth defects. Before pregnancy, you need 400 mcg (micrograms)
per day. During pregnancy and when breastfeeding, you need 600 mcg per day from foods
or vitamins. It is hard to get this amount from foods alone, so you need to take a
supplement that contains folic acid.
• Hydration is another special nutritional concern during pregnancy. When you are
pregnant, your body needs even more water to stay hydrated and support the life inside
you. So, it's important to drink enough fluids every day.
Not only that, but prenatal checkups should be scheduled on a weekly or monthly basis to
evaluate the baby's health and well-being. All of these elements must coexist in order to have
a healthy pregnancy.

References:

https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancyandnutrition.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4450030/