What it means
A water-soluble B vitamin found in leafy green vegetables, beans, citrus fruit and fortified grains. The body needs it to make DNA and to build new cells, so it matters most where cells divide fast, such as in the bone marrow and in a growing baby. Folic acid is the man-made form used in supplements and fortified foods. Too little folate causes a type of anemia with large red cells, and in early pregnancy it raises the risk of neural tubeNOOR-ul TOOBThe hollow structure in an early embryo that develops into the brain and spinal cord.neur/o nerve-al relating toFull entry defects.
For the nurse
Teach anyone who could become pregnant to take a daily folic acid supplement (usually 400 mcg) before and during early pregnancy. Clients with heavy alcohol use and poor diets are at risk of low folate.
At a glance
| Spanish | folato |
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Related terms
anemia
A lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood.
vitamin
A substance the body needs in small amounts for normal growth and function, mostly from food.
red blood cell
A blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues; also called an erythrocyte.
neural tube
The hollow structure in an early embryo that develops into the brain and spinal cord.