Czeizel A E
Department of Human Genetics and Teratology, National Institute of Hygiene-WHO Collaborating Centre for the Community Control of Hereditary Diseases, Budapest, Hungary.
Baillieres Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 1995 Sep;9(3):417-30. doi: 10.1016/s0950-3552(05)80372-4.
Periconceptional care can significantly reduce untoward pregnancy outcomes and birth defects. The avoidance of alcohol, rubella vaccination and special care for certain maternal disorders can prevent some CAs. Periconceptional multivitamin supplementation, including a physiological dose of folic acid, has been shown to reduce the occurrence of NTDs and some other major CAs. The preventable proportion of the latter group is three times higher than the incidence of NTDs. Thus, periconceptional care that includes such supplementation increases the proportion of preventable defects and improves the efficacy of primary prevention.
