NUSCTX 10 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Neural Tube Defect, Folate Deficiency, Spina Bifida
26 Feb 2015
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Document Summary
Nutrition and during pregnancy, and food insecurity: iron. Increased iron needs: supplementation recommended, rda of 27 mg/day when pregnant (compared to 18 mg/day when not pregnant, bioavailability - best absorbed when consumed with vitamin c. Heme and non-heme iron: heme most readily absorbed. Comes from animal sources: non-heme less readily absorbed, comes from plant sources. Iron deficiency anemia: pregnant women at highest risk (occurs in 3% of pregnancies in usa, healthy blood cells require iron and folate, more iron needed in pregnancy due to increased blood volume. Folate recommendations: women of childbearing age 400 micrograms/day, 1998 - mandatory folate fortification of cereal and grain products in usa. Prevalence of spina bifida has declined by 31% since then. Bone mass: peak bone mass is achieved in adolescence and early adulthood, insufficient calcium at this age can result in less than ideal bone mass for life.
