Woman, Hispanic, 19-50 Years of Age, not currently pregnant…

The Institute of Medicine recommends that all women, 19-50 years of age, not currently pregnant, consume 400 mcg of folate per day. Because many women do not achieve the RDA through their diets, the March of Dimes recommends that all women of reproductive age consume 400 mcg of folic acid per day by taking a daily multivitamin in addition to eating a healthy diet.

While all women need to know about folic acid, some women have an even more pressing need to heed the message.  It is important for health professionals to understand which women may have an increased risk for pregnancies resulting in neural tube defects.  There is a higher risk for spina bifida among Hispanics relative to other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.

These data underscore the need to provide counseling to Latinas around pregnancy and nutrition.