Problems in the choice of a folate formulation for correction of folate status
A systems analysis of the data available in the literature on the problem of choosing the optimal folate formulation in order to correct folate status in obstetric and gynecologic practice was carried out. There is plenty of evidence that increasing the folate status reduces the risk of neonatal neural tube defects. Higher folate intake through supplementation with folic acid (FA) or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-methyl-THF) is recommended during pregravid preparation and early pregnancy. L-5-methyl-THF has a number of advantages over FA, since it is a physiological compound and has greater bioavailability. 5-methyl-THF is also available as a crystalline form of calcium salt (metafolin) that has the stability required for use as a supplement. When correcting the folate status in obstetric and gynecological practice, it is recommended that a choice should be made in favor of a formulation that has the best bioavailability, as seen in metafolin.Shikh E.V., Makhova A.A.
Keywords
metafolin
folic acid
pregravid preparation
neonatal neural tube defects
polymorphism in the folate system
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Received 06.04.2018
Accepted 20.04.2018
About the Authors
Shikh, Evgenia V., doctor of medical sciences, professor, head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University). 119991, Russia, Moscow, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya str. 2, bld. 4. E-mail: chih@mail.ruMakhova, Anna A., Candidate of Medical Sciences, Assistant of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University). 119991, Russia, Moscow, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya str. 2, bld. 4. E-mail: annabramova@gmail.com
For citations: Shikh E.V., Makhova A.A. Problems in the choice of a folate formulation for correction of folate status. Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2018; (8): 33-40. (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2018.8.33-40
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