Cleft Lip and Palate It is a common, non life threatening abnormality which can have a significant effect on maternal bonding; it has a worldwide wide incidence of 1.7 per 1000 live born babies.   Prevention of cleft lip and palate   Several research groups have suggested a possible link between cleft lip and/or palate and diets low in folic acid or other vitamins in the mother. These early studies are being repeated to try and determine whether or not there really is a link, and if so what dose of folic acid would be needed to reduce the chance of a cleft in a baby. Many factors are involved in the formation of the human face. These include a number of genes which control the facial cell’ activities- the way the cells move, divide and become a specific part of the face, if these genes do not work normally for any reason, the development of the face may be altered, and could result in a cleft. In the majority of the cases it is not known what causes the genes to work the way they do to form a cleft lip and /or palate. It may be that some of these important genes require certain nutritional factors, such as folic acid, in order to act. Sources of Folic Acid Folate or Folic Acid derives its name from the Latin word folium (which means “leaf”). Leafy vegetables are a principal source of Folic Acid. Excellent sources of folate include lettuce, spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, mustard greens, calf’s liver, parsley, broccoli, cauliflower, beets and lentils, okra, citrus fruit and juice. Oddly enough, research shows that the synthetic version of this vitamin is absorbed more readily by the body rather than from food sources. Enriched cereals and grains are fortified with this vitamin, but women don’t take enough of these to provide the body with the required amount.   Why folic acid is needed during Pregnancy

Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin, commonly known as B 9 most publicized for its importance in pregnancy and prevention of pregnancy defects. Women, who are pregnant or are planning, need to take this vitamin for many very compelling reasons.

• Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects.
• Some research suggests that it may lower the risk of other defects, such as cleft lip, cleft palate and certain types of heart defects.
• It is essential to make normal red blood cells and prevent anemia.
• It is essential for the production, repair, and functioning of DNA.
• Some research suggests that taking a multivitamin with folic acid may reduce the risk of preeclampsia, a complex disorder, which can affect the health of both mother and baby.

In which phase of pregnancy is folic acid needed critically, and the required dosage

Because more than 50% pregnancies are unplanned, experts strongly recommend that all women of childbearing age should get 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid every day; some even suggest that once a pregnancy starts the intake should be increased to 600 mcg.

The neural tube – from which the baby’s brain and spine will develop – begins to form nearly three weeks after conception, so it is crucial to get a sufficient daily dose before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy.