Intake of supplements containing folic acid in Japanese pregnant women

Abstract

According to the reports from western countries in recent years, the intake of folic acid is significant role for decreasing the risk of congenital abnormalities, especially neural tube disclosure disorders. The folic acid has important roles for proliferation and development of living things. We investigated the intake of folic acid as oral vitamin supplements in thirty eight pregnant women residents in Kobe. In the case of subjects using folic acid supplements, folic acid were taken 520.0±190.4 μg/d in first trimester pregnant women (n = 4), 500.0±252.0 μg/d (n = 7) in second trimester pregnant women, 339.0±123.9 μg/d (n = 10) in third trimester pregnant women. The intake level of folic acid of pregnant women using folic acid supplements is largely satisfied the additional intake level 400 μg/d in pregnant women recommended by the ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan. We will further investigate the intakes of micronutrients including vitamins for Japanese pregnant women’s health.