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We all know that folic acid aids in preventing birth defects of the brain and spinal cord called neural tube defects (NTDs). In addition, studies have shown that it can prevent other birth defects, including cleft lip and palate, and some heart defects. The March of Dimes recommends that women who are or plan to become pregnant take a multivitamin that contains 400 micrograms of folic acid daily starting before pregnancy, as part of a healthy diet. Folic acid is recommended for all women of child-bearing age because about 50% of all pregnancies are unplanned, the organization reports.

But did you know that taking folic acid may also help prevent premature births? Researchers at the 28th Annual Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) meeting unveiled a study that revealed women who took folic acid supplements for a year or longer before they conceived had a 70% decreased risk of preterm birth between 20 and 28 weeks of gestation. A year of folic acid supplementation dropped the risk of delivering during weeks 28-32 by 50%.

A premature birth is defined as one that occurs before 37 weeks of gestation, says the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Improved medical knowledge and technology have made survival for these small infants more likely; of babies born at 28 weeks or later, 90% are expected to survive, according to the NIH.

Folic acid is important in maintaining health for everyone. It has been known for a long time that folic acid plays an important role in producing normal red blood cells. People who are deficient in folic acid sometimes develop a form of anemia called megaloblastic anemia, which is characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells.

Folic acid may also play a role in preventing other health problems, the March of Dimes reports.

Tags: birth defects, folic acid, premature birth, Research, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, U.S. National Institutes of Health