?The administration of folic acid three months before conception could help reduce abnormalities in the spinal column of foetus.
A gynaecologist, Dr. Fred Achem,? told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that women preparing for pregnancy should administer one tablet of the drug everyday within three months before conception, as well as during pregnancy and after delivery.
He said the intake of folic acid helps prevent anaemia in mothers as it builds up the blood and prevents the risk of exposure to abnormalities in babies.
The gynaecologist noted that the lack of the drug could lead to club foot deficiency whereby the babies’ feet are bent outwards.
He said that deficiency of folic acid in an expectant mother could lead to poor development of the nervous system around the brain of the foetus and the lower part of the body.
Folic acid has nutrients found in greens mainly green vegetables which help in dividing the red blood cells in the body, while it is also necessary for sickle cell patients, the doctor said.
Achem further said the drug also helps the mother to increase her blood level preparatory to delivery and added that administration of the drug before conception had been adopted and practised in other developed countries.