The introduction of additional folic acid in food has led to a significant decrease in the number of congenital heart defects in Canadian children.

This is evidenced by the results of a recent study published in the journal Circulation.

To better understand the effect of folic acid on the risk of heart defects, the scientists conducted a large-scale analysis involving 6 million children born between 1990 and 2011.

Recall that to add folate to pasta, corn flakes and flour Canadians began only since 1998.

During this period, the incidence of congenital heart disease decreased by 11%, but, unfortunately, this did not concern all vices. Most of all, folic acid has affected diseases such as an open oval window and congenital stenosis of the aortic estuary - from 15 to 27%.

The use of additional folate in women almost did not affect the heart defects associated with chromosomal abnormalities - for example, with Down's syndrome and Williams syndrome.

Researchers lead terrible statistics from a neighboring country: from 650,000 to 1.3 million children and adults in the United States now live with congenital heart defects. The most frequent defect remains the opening of holes in the walls of the heart - it accounts for about 620 thousand cases.

In addition to heart defects, the prevention of folic acid deficiency early in gestation reduces the risk of other complications: anemia of pregnant women, neural tube anomalies (spina bifida).

"Women who plan to become pregnant should start taking folic acid in advance, because food alone is not enough. This applies to any country in the world, "warned Professor K. Joseph, co-author of the study, a teacher of obstetrics and gynecology from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

medbe. en.