Frequently Asked Questions

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cannot give personal advice to any woman about the risks of having a child with a birth defect. Any specific questions a woman has about health or treatment for a condition should be directed to her healthcare provider.
Folic acid, a B vitamin, is important for a baby’s very early development, often before a woman realizes she is pregnant. A woman who plans to or could become pregnant should consume 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day to ensure her baby’s proper development and growth.

• General Information About Neural Tube Defects, Folic Acid, and Folate
• Folic Acid Safety, Interactions, and Effects on Other Outcomes
• Folic Acid and Its Link to Other Health Outcomes
• Folic Acid Fortification and Supplementation
• Neural Tube Defects Surveillance