Brouwer I A
Vrije Universiteit, Instituut voor Gezondheidswetenschappen, afd. Voeding en Gezondheid, De Boelelaan 0085, 1081 HV Amsterdam.
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2008 Jan 26;152(4):185-6.
A recent study from a research group from Quebec showed a strong decrease in the number of births affected by a neural tube defect since folic acid fortification was introduced in Canada. The prevalence decreased from 1.58 neural tube defects per 1000 births before the introduction of folic acid fortification to 0.86 per 1000 births in the period of complete fortification. Although folic acid fortification of staple food is probably the most effective way to decrease the incidence of neural tube defects, more knowledge about possible health risks should be obtained before fortification is introduced. More research is needed to determine which population groups are at risk of possible negative effects of folic acid fortification and at which level of fortification. Until then, it is important to generate more attention and publicity in order to increase awareness and knowledge concerning folic acid and to promote its use before and after conception.
魁北克一个研究小组最近的一项研究表明，自从加拿大引入叶酸强化措施后，受神经管缺陷影响的出生人数大幅下降。患病率从引入叶酸强化措施前每1000例出生中有1.58例神经管缺陷降至全面强化期间的每1000例出生中有0.86例。尽管主食的叶酸强化可能是降低神经管缺陷发生率的最有效方法，但在引入强化措施之前，应获取更多关于可能的健康风险的知识。需要更多研究来确定哪些人群有面临叶酸强化可能产生负面影响的风险，以及强化到何种程度。在此之前，重要的是要引起更多关注和宣传，以提高对叶酸的认识和了解，并促进在受孕前后使用叶酸。
