Yes, lack of folic acid can cause cleft palate. Folic acid, or vitamin B9, is an essential nutrient for the development of neural tube during the early stages of fetal development. When mothers do not receive the adequate amount of folic acid during pregnancy, the neural tube can remain open and result in an incomplete closure of the roof of the mouth – cleft palate.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in every 700 infants in the US is born with a cleft palate. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that around 38,000 children are born with cleft lip and/or palate each year, and they attribute this to a lack of necessary nutrients such as folate.
Although a cleft palate may be cosmetic, it can create serious complications regarding speech, dental health, and hearing, which is why it is important that mothers consume enough dietary folic acid or take a supplement before and during pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects such as cleft palate.
What deficiencies cause cleft palate?
Cleft palate is a congenital birth defect that can occur when the fetus is still in the development stages. In most cases, the cause of the cleft palate is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetics and environmental factors.
There are certain deficiencies and conditions which have been linked to cleft palate, such as insufficient levels of folic acid (folate) during pregnancy, and for some, it seems to run in the family.
Other possible causes could include a mother’s exposure to certain medications, such as anti-seizure medications, exposure to certain viruses during pregnancy, and maternal smoking.
Folic acid deficiency is believed to be one of the most common deficiencies which can cause cleft palate. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps the body create new healthy cells. It is especially important during the early stages of fetal development, as it can help prevent defects of the spine, the brain and the face.
To avoid a folic acid deficiency during pregnancy, it is recommended that the mother supplements with folic acid.
Evidence also points to Vitamin A deficiency being a potential cause of cleft palate. Vitamin A plays an important role in the development of facial tissue, and if a fetus has insufficient levels of it during critical development stages, it can cause malformations of the face, including a cleft palate.
Again, to prevent vitamin A deficiencies in pregnant women, supplementing with vitamin A is advised.
Overall, there is no single cause for cleft palate, and the exact cause of cleft palate will vary from fetus to fetus. However, certain deficiencies and conditions, such as folic acid and vitamin A, may act as risk factors, and so it is important for expecting mothers to pay close attention to their health during pregnancy and ensure that they are not deficient in any nutrients.
What vitamin prevents cleft palate?
Vitamin B9, commonly known as folate or folic acid, is crucial for preventing cleft palate in newborns. Required prior to and during early pregnancy, folic acid helps form the baby’s neural tube, a precursor to the skull and spine.
When women lack folic acid in their bodies before and during early pregnancy, the neural tube can fail to close properly, resulting in the development of cleft palate. It is therefore recommended that all pregnant women get at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.
The best source of this vitamin is food, such as fortified cereals, dark leafy green vegetables, legumes, and beans, as well as supplements. Additionally, women who are trying to conceive should get at least 600 micrograms of folic acid daily and increase their intake as soon as they know they are pregnant.
Without sufficient folic acid, the likelihood of a baby being born with a cleft palate increases greatly, so it is important to make sure women are getting enough of this essential vitamin.
What is the most common cause of cleft palate?
The most common cause of cleft palate is unknown, but there are likely genetic and environmental factors involved. Genetics likely plays a role in all cases, as cleft palate is more likely to occur if someone in the family has had it before.
Environmental factors, such as smoking during pregnancy, lowered folate levels in the mother, and certain drugs or infections during the early stages of uterine development, may be contributing factors as well.
Additionally, a mother’s nutritional status can play a role, as research has suggested that inadequate nutrition can lead to a higher risk of cleft palate. Generally, cleft palate is typically seen as a multifactorial disorder, where a combination of genetic and environmental factors lead to the abnormality.
Is cleft palate caused by malnutrition?
No, cleft palate is not caused by malnutrition. Cleft palate is a congenital birth defect in which the roof of the baby’s mouth either does not form completely or it forms but with an opening or split in the palate.
This defect occurs when the tissue and bone that comprise the palate fails to fuse properly. It can be due to a number of factors such as genetics, infections, smoking, some medicines, and vitamin A deficiency.
Malnutrition is not one of the main causes of cleft palate. However, it is important to note that poor nutrition can increase the risk of a birth defect, including cleft palate, so it is important to make sure that the mother is getting adequate amounts of nutrients pre-conception and during the pregnancy.
Who is most likely to get a cleft palate?
A cleft palate is a congenital deformity that occurs when the roof of a baby’s mouth does not form correctly and instead has a split or gap in the palate. It is estimated that around one in every 700 newborns in the United States are born with a cleft palate.
In some cases, the cleft may be accompanied by a cleft lip.
It is not known exactly what causes cleft palate, though it is thought to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as smoking or drinking during pregnancy. Predisposing genetic factors include mutations in several known genes, including TGFA and TP63.
Cleft palate can occur in both genders and all races, though studies show that those of Asian and Native American ancestry are more susceptible to this condition than those of other races. In addition, boys seem to be slightly more likely to have cleft palates than girls.
Since the cause of cleft palate is often unknown, it is difficult to determine who is most likely to get the condition. However, as mentioned previously, there may be certain factors that increase one’s risk for the deformity, including genetic predisposition and exposure to certain environmental factors during pregnancy.
Additionally, women over the age of 35 appear to have a higher risk for giving birth to a baby with a cleft palate.
Why do so many African children have cleft palate?
Cleft palate is a birth defect that can affect children in Africa and around the world. The exact cause of cleft palate is unknown, but it is thought to occur from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
In some cases, a genetic component may be involved, or environmental factors such as exposure to pollution or toxins may play a role. Additionally, lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, or drug use during pregnancy may be contributing factors.
Furthermore, inadequate nutrition or lack of access to quality maternal health care can influence the development of birth defects such as cleft palate, especially in developing countries. Malnutrition can interfere with a child’s development, potentially leading to an increased risk of birth defects.
Additionally, these countries often lack access to specialists who specialize in prenatal care and genetic testing, making it difficult to identify and address any potential health problems before birth.
For many children in Africa, access to treatment for a cleft palate can be limited. Unfortunately, this can lead to complications associated with the condition, such as difficulty eating, speaking, and hearing.
Fortunately, organizations like Smile Train are providing treatment and support to help children in developing countries access the care they need to live healthy and successful lives.
What nationality has the most cleft palate?
Some studies suggest that abnormalities such as cleft palate occur more frequently in certain populations. For example, some research suggests that cleft lip and palate occur more frequently in Chinese population compared to other Asian populations, while other studies suggest the highest rate of cleft lip and palate in Latin American countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Peru.
Additionally, cleft lip and palate is more common in Caucasians than in African Americans and other ethnicities. In some cases, the cause of cleft palate is linked to certain environmental and lifestyle factors and certain genetic conditions, all of which vary by population.
What birth defects does folic acid prevent?
Folic acid is an essential vitamin that is important to the health and development of an unborn baby. Folic acid helps to prevent various birth defects, specifically those related to the neural tube.
Neural tube defects occur when either all or parts of the neural tube do not close properly during fetal development in the womb. Neural tube defects include Spina Bifida, a condition where the spine and spinal cord do not close correctly leaving the spinal cord and nerves exposed, Anencephaly, a condition where the development of the brain is severely impaired and the top of the skull is missing, and Encephalocele, a defect where the brain and membranes protrude from the skull.
Folic acid is integral in preventing these neural tube defects in babies, which can cause physical and neurological complications, and may result in death. As such, it is recommended that women who are pregnant or soon due to become pregnant take folic acid either in food or dietary supplements to reduce the risk of these birth defects.
What puts a baby at risk for cleft palate?
Babies can be at risk of cleft palate due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetics play a role, with some babies more likely to have a cleft palate if their family has a history of the condition.
Environmental factors such as alcohol or drug use by the mother during pregnancy, malnutrition, and certain medications can also increase the risk. Cigarette smoking, in particular, has been linked to an increased risk of cleft palate.
Additionally, the age of the parents can be a factor; the risk of having a baby with a cleft palate is higher when one or both parents are over 35. Environmental toxins can also be associated with an increased risk of cleft palate; for example, consumption of certain farm products, or exposure to lead or mercury.
Finally, certain other medical conditions that a woman may have during pregnancy (including diabetes and obesity) can increase the risk of cleft palate in an unborn baby.
What are 3 benefits of folic acid?
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is an essential nutrient for both adults and children. It is used in many essential bodily functions such as making red blood cells, DNA synthesis and repair, and ensuring the body’s metabolism works properly.
Here are some of the main benefits of folic acid:
1. Pregnancy: Folic acid is especially important for pregnant women. It plays an important role in the development of a fetus, reducing the risk of various birth defects such as spina bifida. For this reason, pregnant women are advised to take a daily supplement of folic acid.
2. Heart Health: Folic acid helps lower levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can be found in high levels in people with an increased risk of heart disease. By decreasing homocysteine levels, related to an increase in stroke, heart attack, and peripheral vascular disease, it can help to significantly reduce the risk of heart complications.
3. Brain Function: Folic acid is also important for the maintenance of healthy brain function. It helps to support the production of dopamine, which plays an important role in maintaining mood and cognitive performance.
Studies have shown that including adequate folic acid in your diet can reduce the risk of developing dementia as you age.
When should you stop taking folic acid in pregnancy?
It is recommended that pregnant women take a daily supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid until the end of the 12th week of pregnancy. After the 12th week, it is safe to stop taking a supplement containing folic acid, as long as you are eating foods that contain folate.
Folate can be found in many foods such as green leafy vegetables, bread, breakfast cereals, and orange juice. If you are at risk of having a baby with neural tube defects, such as women with diabetes, it is recommended to continue taking the supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid until the end of your pregnancy.
It is also important to discuss any nutritional supplements you are taking with your healthcare provider to ensure that you and your baby receive the best care possible.
Is 12 weeks pregnant too late for folic acid?
No, 12 weeks pregnant is not too late to start taking folic acid. Folic acid is a vitamin that is important to take before, during, and after pregnancy to help reduce the risk of certain birth defects.
Taking folic acid in early pregnancy helps to protect the developing baby’s spine, and many experts recommend that pregnant women begin taking a daily prescription of folic acid three months before pregnancy and continue to take it throughout pregnancy.
Additionally, doctors may prescribe that pregnant women start taking a higher dose of folic acid from 12 weeks of pregnancy until delivery, especially if they are considered to be at elevated risk for neural tube defects, such as a woman who has previously had a baby with a neural tube defect.
Therefore, although 12 weeks pregnant is a relatively late time to start, it is never too late to begin taking folic acid and it should still be taken throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.
Can too much folic acid harm my baby?
Yes, too much folic acid can harm your baby. It is important to be mindful of how much folic acid you are taking in your diet because the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends taking no more than 1,000 mcg a day.
Taking too much folic acid during pregnancy can increase the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect such as spina bifida. Folic acid is an essential nutrient during pregnancy, and it is important to ensure you are getting enough, but not too much.
Many prenatal vitamins contain 400 mcg of folic acid, so you should avoid taking additional supplements with folic acid unless otherwise recommended by your doctor. Be sure to check labels on any supplements and on fortified foods, like breakfast cereals, to check the total folic acid content.
Additionally, eating folate-rich foods, such as leafy green vegetables, beans, oranges, and fortified breads can also contribute to the recommended daily intake.
Can taking folic acid after 12 weeks harm the baby?
No, it is unlikely that taking folic acid after 12 weeks of pregnancy will harm the baby. Folic acid is important for the proper development of the baby’s neural tube, and it is generally recommended to take it beginning before conception and up to 12 weeks into the pregnancy.
Taking additional folic acid after 12 weeks will unlikely be harmful because the body naturally produces additional folate and the uterus and placenta protect the baby from any additional doses. However, it is important to keep in mind that taking too much vitamin A (which can be found in prenatal vitamins) can be harmful to the baby, so it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any additional supplements.
Overall, taking folic acid after 12 weeks of pregnancy is usually safe, but it is important to speak to your doctor before taking any additional supplements so that you can determine the best course of action for you and your baby.