Topical Area: Global Nutrition

P10-107-19 - Developing a Global Strategy for the Control of Folate Deficiency and Folic Acid Responsive Neural Tube Defects in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Sun, Jun 9

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Location: Poster Board 20

Objectives :

To develop a global action plan for the control of folate deficiency and folic acid responsive neural tube defects (anencephaly and spina bifida)

Methods :

Establish a multi- and inter-disciplinary group to develop a global action plan for folate-sensitive NTD prevention

Ensure regional lab capacity exists to assess folate status applying a harmonized microbiologic assay (MBA) to measure red blood cell (RBC) folate, establishing a global network of regional laboratories coordinated by an umbrella organization

Promote improvements of folate status in women of reproductive age (WRA) in LMIC, engaging a wide variety of national and global stakeholders

Improve knowledge availability and sharing amongst global stakeholders in NTD prevention

Results :

A standing Folate Task Team comprised of a 2-member Secretariat, a 10-member Expert Advisory Group, 4 Ex-Officio members, and 4 “As Needed” advisors (see Fig. 1)

Identification of an initial list of 12 global stakeholders and partner organizations

Five resource laboratories have been trained at the Division of Laboratory Sciences - CDC, including labs in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Tanzania, and Pakistan

A training video supported by a manual and mini posters to illustrate specific activities of the assay has been produced by CDC.

A landscaping analysis has identified countries that have mandatory/voluntary food fortification practices, information on folate status in the population, burden of NTDs, and consumption patterns of fortified foods

Identification of alternative foods/food vehicles likely to be fortified to reach at-risk segments of WRA

Dissemination activities are shared at https://www.nutritionintl.org/what-we-do/nteam/folate-task-team/

Conclusions :

The estimated global prevalence of NTD-affected pregnancies is estimated to be 260,100 in 2015 and has a significant emotional and economic impact on families and society, while contributing to the loss of human potential for countries

The global action provides a clear path forward to help direct and prioritize investments, advance resource mobilization, and garner the political will to accelerate NTD prevention in LMIC

Funding Sources :

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Presenting Author(s)