Working Experiences from Expanding Uses of Folic Acid Supplementation in the Periconceptional Period to Prevent Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) During the Period of the Last Five Years

ObjectiveTo summarize the experiences from expanding uses of folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects in the last five years and to further improve the population quality as instructed by central government.MethodsPolitical, economic and scientific research background were analyzed and existing relevant experiences were learnt from the sectors such as maternal and child health,family planning and women's association.ResultsThrough several years'efforts,a production base was established with a capacity of manufacturing 50 millions bottles of folic acid supplementation,which covered 27 provinces and 1 100 counties and earned more than 10 million yuan in benefit and tax.At the same time.incidence of neural tube defects in these areas decreased with the increasing consumption of folic acid supplementation.ConclusionOutstanding social and economic benefits were gained through expanding uses of folic acid supplementation.