Adolescent (14-18)  

The Institute of Medicine recommends that adolescents (14-18) consume 400 mcg of folate per day.

Adolescence marks the beginning of reproductive maturity and sexual experimentation.  At this stage, unplanned pregnancies can and do occur.  Each year in the U.S., approximately 850,000 adolescents become pregnant.[56] Although teenage pregnancy rates are decreasing in general, for those adolescents who do become pregnant, it is important that they receive folic acid information.    Folic acid fortification of foods relieves some of the burden from health providers to counsel adolescents about folic acid without appearing to endorse teen pregnancy.  However, as a health provider, you should be prepared to discuss the benefits of folic acid.