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Folic Acid and Human Development

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Folic acid is a vitamin B found in many supplements and fortified foods. It’s the

synthetic form of folate. Folic acid is used by the body to make new cells and produce DNA.

Folic acid is essential for normal growth and development of the body (Papalia, 2015). It is

therefore useful throughout human life. Taking folic acid is particularly vital before and

during pregnancy. It’s important for the proper organ development of a developing baby. It

is advisable for women to take folic acid before they get pregnant, this help prevent birth

defects including serious neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Folic acid plays a critical

role during pregnancybecause it is used by the body to make new cells and produce DNA.

It’s required for normal growth and development throughout human life. It is also important

for the proper organ development of a developing baby ( Papalia, 2015). Research

fromTrusted Source also shows folic acid supplementation in early pregnancy may help

prevent cleft lip and cleft palate. All pregnant women should take at least 600 micrograms

(mcg) of folic acid daily, according to The American College of Obstetricians and

Gynaecologists. Most prenatal vitamins contain this amount of folic acid.

Moreover, to make sure one has enough folic acid in your body to prevent neural tube

defects. women who plan to become pregnant should take 400 mcg of folic acid daily, also

to make sure one gets enough folic acid take a recommended folic acid supplement or a

prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid before and during pregnancy. When folic acid is not

present, fetus encounter neural tube defects. For instance, in the United States 3,000 cases are

reported each year. Normally, the neural tube develops into the spinal cord and brain by 28

days after conception. If the neural tube doesn’t close properly, neural tube defects occur

( Papalia, 2015). Anencephaly is a condition in which the brain doesn’t develop properly.

Babies born with anencephaly cannot survive. Babies born with spina bifida or encephalocele

may face multiple surgeries, paralysis, and long-term disability. According to a 2015 review

of studies, maternal folic acid supplementation significantly decreases the risk of congenital
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heart defects. These defects occur in 8 out of every 1,000 births in the United States.

According to the American Heart Assocaition, congenital heart defects happen when the

heart or blood vessels don’t grow normally before birth. They may impact the interior walls

of the heart, the heart valves, or the arteries and veins of the heart. Cleft lip and cleft palate

birth defects occur if parts of the mouth and lip do not merge properly during the first 6 to 10

weeks of pregnancy. One or more surgeries are usually needed to correct the condition

Patients should add a prenatal vitamin to their daily routine available in capsule, tablet &

chewable forms to avoid stomach upsets, take prenatal vitamins with food. Talk to a doctor

for correct dose and add foods fortified with folic acid to the diet.

Inclusion, folic acid is fundamental in human development, Women should take the

required levels of folic acid, during and before getting pregnant to avoid defects associated

with folic acid deficit.

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References
Papalia, D. E. (2015). Experience human development.