Folic Acid Drop Threatens Baby Health | Leeds News

Folic acid uptake among pregnant women in England is plummeting, threatening years of progress in preventing birth defects like spina bifida. While London bucks the trend, nationwide rates have steadily declined since 2021–2022. The NHS urges women to start taking 400mcg daily — even before conception — because neural development begins early and often goes unnoticed. Misinformation online and delayed midwife visits are key barriers. Though folic acid will be added to flour by 2026, experts warn this alone isn’t enough. A multi-pronged push — including targeted education, better preconception care, and support for deprived communities — is urgently needed to ensure every woman has the tools to give her baby the healthiest start possible. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e032eae3d7ad3469