Daily folic acid supplementation remains important for prevention of birth defects

Despite the mandatory addition of folic acid to enriched grain products in the United States, many women still do not consume adequate amounts of this important vitamin, according to an editorial written by Laura E. Mitchell, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. Mitchell was invited to write the editorial for JAMA Pediatrics , which published it today during Folic Acid Awareness Week and January’s Birth Defects Prevention Month.