Abstract
It is well known that periconceptional folic acid supplementation decreases the risk of neural tube defects. The aim of this
study was to evaluate the attitudes and practices of women with planned pregnancies regarding periconceptional folic acid
intake and to identify factors associated with the use of this supplement. During 2 years of observation, we surveyed women
with planned pregnancies who called our Teratology Information Service. A total of 500 women were surveyed: 217 (43.4 %) took
folic acid before becoming pregnant, and 283 (56.6 %) did not take it. The women who took folic acid before becoming pregnant
had a high education level and received preconception counselling. Our results suggest that less than half of Italian women
took folic acid before they became pregnant although they were trying to conceive. Knowledge about the benefits of this vitamin
is inadequate also among women who planned the pregnancy and the level of information received from their physicians.
study was to evaluate the attitudes and practices of women with planned pregnancies regarding periconceptional folic acid
intake and to identify factors associated with the use of this supplement. During 2 years of observation, we surveyed women
with planned pregnancies who called our Teratology Information Service. A total of 500 women were surveyed: 217 (43.4 %) took
folic acid before becoming pregnant, and 283 (56.6 %) did not take it. The women who took folic acid before becoming pregnant
had a high education level and received preconception counselling. Our results suggest that less than half of Italian women
took folic acid before they became pregnant although they were trying to conceive. Knowledge about the benefits of this vitamin
is inadequate also among women who planned the pregnancy and the level of information received from their physicians.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-1047-2
- Authors
- Marco De Santis, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Telefono Rosso Teratology Information Service, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L. go Francesco Vito 1, 00135 Rome, Italy
- Tomasella Quattrocchi, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Telefono Rosso Teratology Information Service, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L. go Francesco Vito 1, 00135 Rome, Italy
- Ilenia Mappa, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Telefono Rosso Teratology Information Service, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L. go Francesco Vito 1, 00135 Rome, Italy
- Terryann Spagnuolo, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Telefono Rosso Teratology Information Service, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L. go Francesco Vito 1, 00135 Rome, Italy
- Angelo Licameli, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Telefono Rosso Teratology Information Service, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L. go Francesco Vito 1, 00135 Rome, Italy
- Giacomina Chiaradia, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Telefono Rosso Teratology Information Service, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L. go Francesco Vito 1, 00135 Rome, Italy
- Carmen De Luca, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Telefono Rosso Teratology Information Service, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L. go Francesco Vito 1, 00135 Rome, Italy
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875