Nawras A. H. Review: The role of folic acid in avoiding congenital disabilities.
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Abstract
Folic acid (folacin, vitamin B9) is a vitamin with several significant functions in the human body. For this reason, too little or too much folic acid can increase the incidence of adverse health effects. This study reviewed current peer-reviewed scientific literature regarding folacin and the effects on pregnant women. We completed a systematic review of literature from peer-reviewed studies up to June 2025 from scientific databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Elsevier. The succeeding utilized words and concoctions were used in the review - folacin, folate, folic acid supplements, folacin absence in prenatal women. The use of folacin, in regard to its biological action, has both direct and indirect actions on the metabolic system of the cell body of the pregnant woman as a whole since metabolism is for the mother and fetus specifically. Folic acid plays a role in avoiding megaloblastic anemia, and neural tube defects NTDs, it is also helpful in the preservation of overall nervous system functionality and helps to decrease the risk of some types of malignant disease. It is presently being vigorously asserted that the uses of folic acid are significant in supporting a normal pregnancy
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