[e-drug] Another boost to Folic Acid's Public Health profile?

["Murtada Sesay" <msesay@unicef.org>]

E-DRUG: Another boost to Folic Acid's Public Health profile?
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Dear E-druggers,

As Folic Acid comes up time and time again in our esteemed forum, I thought
this would also be of interest:

According to researchers led by Dr Shi Wu Wen at the University of Ottawa,
in a report published in the American Journal Of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008;198:45.e1-45.e7): An adequate cellular folate
supply may play an important role in the implantation and development of the
placenta. Folate may also reduce the risk of developing pre-eclampsia by
improving endothelial function at both placental and systemic levels.

Pre-eclampsia is an important cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and
mortality, especially in poor countries like mine (Sierra Leone), where the
maternal mortality rate is an unacceptable 1,800 per 100,000. Therefore, any
potential of using an old and cheap technology such as Folate Supplemen-tation in this regard is an important public health case that has to be taken seriously.

Murtada M. Sesay
Technical Specialist (Pharmaceuticals)
UNICEF Supply Division

Tel: +45 3527 3098
Mobile: +45 28 23 28 07
E-mail: msesay@unicef.org
Web: www.unicef.org/supply