Improving maternal folate status to prevent infant neural tube defects: working group conclusions and a framework for action

Abstract

As infectious disease control programs achieve increasing success, further reductions in child mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will require focused prevention strategies for birth defects and other noninfectious diseases. Neural tube defects (NTDs) can cause early death or lifelong disability. Preventing NTDs provides a feasible, significant opportunity to decrease the toll of birth defects and contribute to further reducing child mortality globally. The Micronutrient Forum convened a technical consultation on Folate Status in Women and Neural Tube Defects Prevention to develop a roadmap to inform and prioritize investments in NTD prevention in LMICs; help guide implementation efforts in terms of the feasibility of interventions and the potential for acceleration; and identify research and knowledge gaps. Here, we describe the impetus for and approach to the consultation and present the conclusions and a framework for developing a roadmap for action to accelerate NTD prevention in LMICs. The framework (1) provides options for action on folate status assessment; (2) outlines a way forward to develop and implement a time-bound global action plan for NTD prevention; and (3) identifies common impediments to NTD prevention, broad strategies to overcome or minimize these impediments, and basic building blocks necessary to accelerate action.

Keywords: birth defects; folic acid; neural tube defects.