Mae tystiolaeth gref y gellir atal llawer o achosion o nam ar y tiwb nerfol drwy gynyddu lefel yr asid ffolig y mae menyw yn ei gael, a dyna pam y cynghorir menywod sy’n ceisio beichiogi, neu sy’n debygol o feichiogi, i gymryd atchwanegiad dyddiol o 400 microgram o asid ffolig hyd at 12fed wythnos cyfnod y beichiogrwydd. Fodd bynnag, rydym yn gwybod bod oddeutu hanner o’r menywod sy’n beichiogi heb gynllunio ar gyfer hynny. Hefyd, nid yw llawer o’r menywod sy’n cynllunio ar gyfer eu beichiogrwydd yn cymryd atchwanegiadau asid ffolig neu’n addasu eu deiet i gynyddu’r ffolad y maent yn ei gael cyn beichiogi, yn ogystal â hyd at 12fed wythnos eu beichiogrwydd. Amcangyfrifir bod 90% o fenywod 16 - 49 oed â statws ffolad is na’r lefel a argymhellir i leihau’r risg y gallai nam ar y tiwb nerfol effeithio ar eu beichiogrwydd. Dim ond ychydig o effaith a gafodd yr ymdrechion i gynyddu lefelau ffolad drwy ddarparu addysg ynghylch yr angen i gymryd atchwanegiadau asid ffolig.
There is strong evidence that many neural tube defects can be prevented by increasing a woman’s intake of folic acid, which is why existing pregnancy advice to women who are trying to conceive or who are likely to become pregnant is to take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid until the 12th week of pregnancy. However, we know that around half of pregnancies are unplanned. Even in those pregnancies that are planned, many mothers do not take folic acid supplements or modify their diet to increase folate intake before conception and up until the 12th week of pregnancy. An estimated 90% of women aged 16 to 49 have a folate status below the level recommended to reduce the risk of a pregnancy affected by neural tube defects. Attempts to increase folate levels through education on the need to take folic acid supplements have had limited effect.