The benefits of folic acid before pregnancy.

• Position: Newborns - Brief article

Folic acid can prevent some birth defects, but women should consider taking the vitamin before they get pregnant rather than waiting until they already are expecting. 'There's strong evidence that taking the supplement before and during pregnancy reduces the incidence of neural tube defects," says gynecologist Ellen Wilson. "It may also prevent cleft lip/palate and heart abnormalities."

Each year about 3,000 babies in the U.S. are born with neural tube defects such as spina bifida, which is caused by the incomplete closing of the spine and skull. These birth defects typically occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy before a woman is aware she is expecting. Since half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned, it is important for women of child-bearing age to get enough folic acid.

Since 1998, when grain products first...