[Medical Q&A] How much folic acid is needed every day during pregnancy preparation?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Shang Xuejun, Chief Physician, General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command of PLA

The amount of folic acid required by the human body varies in different genders, different age stages and different physiological states. Due to the physiological needs of pregnant women themselves and the needs of fetal growth and development, the demand for folic acid in pregnant women increases greatly, which can reach twice that of ordinary people. Research results show that pregnant women can maintain the folic acid level in the blood by supplementing 100 micrograms of folic acid per day; supplementing 200-300 micrograms of folic acid per day can significantly increase the folic acid level in red blood cells. Therefore, to correct folic acid deficiency in women of childbearing age, the daily intake of folic acid should be greater than 300 micrograms. Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends that the daily folic acid supply standard for pregnant women is 400 micrograms (0.4 mg).