Abstract

LARDOEYT FERRER, Roberto; TABOADA LUGO, Noel; TORRES SANCHEZ, Yuselis  and  VINAS PORTILLA, Carlos. Foundations of folic acid in the primary pharmacological prevention of congential defects. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2005, vol.21, n.1-2. ISSN 0864-2125.

Folic acid was discovered in 1945 by Lederle laboratories and since then, there is a great variety of derivates of this vitamin that are grouped under the name of folates. It is in PHC where the health of woman and of her future off-spring is promoted through the office of preconceptional risk. One of the most important health promoting actions of preconceptional assistance is the prevention of the congenital defects in the off-spring by the periconceptional supplementation with folates. The deficit of folic acid may be caused by genetical and environmental factors. In order to increase the knowledge of the health professionals giving medical attention to women at gestational age, a review of this topic was made and the scientific foundations showing the importance of the use of this vitamin in the prevention of congenital defects, such as the neural tube defects (NTD), Down's syndrome and other abnormalities associated with the deficit of this vitamin compound, were dealt with.

Keywords : Folic acid; therapeutic use; Down's syndrome; defects of the neural tube closure; abnormalities.

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