RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Multivitamin supplements for pregnant women. New insights.
JF Canadian Family Physician
JO Can Fam Physician
FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada
SP 705
OP 706
VO 50
IS 5
A1 Ahn, Eric
A1 Nava-Ocampo, Alejandro A
A1 Koren, Gideon
YR 2004
UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/50/5/705.abstract
AB QUESTION: One of my patients is planning pregnancy and has started taking multivitamin supplements. She is experiencing gastric discomfort. What are the alternatives? ANSWER: Gastric discomfort is usually related to iron intake; pregnant women could use supplements with less iron. Pregnant women need 0.4 to 1.0 mg of folic acid daily. If they have a family history of neural tube defects (NTDs), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or epilepsy, or are currently taking valproic acid, carbamazepine, or antifolates (eg, sulfonamides), they are at intermediate-to-high risk of having babies with NTDs and need 4.0 to 5.0 mg of folic acid daily.