A majority of Australian women aren't taking the recommended dosage of folic acid and iodine supplements during pregnancy, a new study has found. The study of more than 850 women found that around 90% knew that folic acid should be taken to help their unborn babies, but only 27% ended up taking the correct dosage, or even knew how much they needed. Folic acid is a B group vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida in infants. Mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid and iodine was introduced in Australia in 2009 under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. There was an even bigger decrease of NTDs among babies born to teenagers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 14, 2016 22:41 UTC