USPSTF: Updated Recommendation for Folic Acid to Prevent Neural Tube Defects

In 1996, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended folic acid supplementation for women of childbearing age (0.4–0.8 mg daily for women who were planning pregnancy, starting 1 month before conception and through the first trimester — an A recommendation — and 0.4 mg daily for all women capable of pregnancy — a B recommendation). In its 2009 update, the USPSTF identified new observational studies that confirmed that folic acid supplementation resulted in fewer neural tube defects and was not associated with twinning. No evidence was found on the potential harm of masking vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, but the task force considered this risk to be small. National survey data suggested that most women of childbearing age have inade…