Folate intake in young women and their knowledge of preconceptional folate supplementation to prevent neural tube defects

To ascertain knowledge of periconceptional folate for prevention of neural tube defect (NTD) and to estimate folate intake in young women. Three hundred young women were questioned about their knowledge of folate for prevention of NTD. Their folate intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. Fourteen per cent of 16-19 year olds and 41% of undergraduates were aware of the need to increase folate intake before conception. Median folate intake was estimated to be 235 micrograms/d in 16-19 year olds and 248.5 micrograms/d in undergraduates. More than a quarter of women in both groups had folate intakes less than the reference nutrient intake (RNI) (200 micrograms/d) below which prevalence of NTD rises dramatically and these women would therefore be at increased risk of having a child with NTD should they have an unplanned pregnancy. Strategies are required to increase folate intake among young women and inform them of the benefit of peri-conceptional folate supplementation.