Indication for supplementation | Dose (daily) | Start (minimum) | Initial duration* | Recommended by |
High risk | ||||
Open NTD any first degree relative of either parent or a personal history of open NTD in either parent[1,2] | 4 mg | 3 months PTC | 12 weeks | SOGC, ACOG |
Moderate risk | ||||
Personal or family history of folate-sensitive congenital anomaly other than NTD[2] | 1 mg | 3 months PTC | 12 weeks | SOGC |
Family history of NTD (first- or second-degree relative)[2] | 1 mg | 3 months PTC | 12 weeks | SOGC |
Type 1 or 2diabetes[2-4] | 1 mg | 3 months PTC | 12 weeks | SOGC |
0.4 mg | 1 month PTC | 12 weeks | ADA, ACOG | |
Maternal gastrointestinal malabsorption (eg, gastric bypass surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, active celiac disease)[2] | 1 mg | 3 months PTC | 12 weeks | SOGC |
Medical conditions associated with increased risk (eg, advanced liver disease, dialysis, alcohol use disorder, use of antiepileptic or other folate-inhibiting medications, obesity)[2] | 1 mg | 3 months PTC | 12 weeks | SOGC |
Low risk | ||||
Pregnancy or potential for pregnancy[1,5,6] | 0.4 mg | At least 1 month PTC | 12 weeks | ACOG, CDC |
0.4 to 0.8 mg | 1 month PTC | First 2 to 3 months of pregnancy | USPSTF |
ACOG: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; ADA: American Diabetes Association; CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; NTD: neural tube defect; PTC: prior to conception; SOGC: Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada; USPSTF: United States Preventive Services Task Force.
* After 12 weeks, supplementation via a routine prenatal vitamin is recommended through the remainder of pregnancy and lactation to fulfill ongoing maternal and fetoplacental folate requirements.
References: