In 1990 and 1991, there was a surge of babies born without brains around Brownsville, Texas. The national rate is 1 per 1,000. Researchers tracked 124 women who had babies with birth defects. All took folic acid during a subsequent pregnancy, and only one woman had a second baby with a birth defect. And in that case, researchers could not locate the woman during her pregnancy to provide the folic acid and track her progress, said the project director, Dr. Russ Larsen.
Folic acid is found naturally in leafy green vegetables, beans, tuna, eggs and other foods.
The Food and Drug Administration ordered manufacturers to begin fortifying foods with folic acid in January 1998. The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Click here for Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Internet Safety Information applicable to this site.