PD198 - IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GERMAN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRE- AND POSTCONCEPTIONAL FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION– A RETROSPECTIVE SURVEY IN THE BERLIN-SPANDAU AREA

PD198

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GERMAN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRE- AND POSTCONCEPTIONAL FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION– A RETROSPECTIVE SURVEY IN THE BERLIN-SPANDAU AREA

F. Knof^1,*, F. Lang², L. Otten², J. G. Mainz^1,3, F. Jochum^1,2

¹Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane (MHB), Neuruppin, ²Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin Evangelisches Waldkrankenhaus Spandau, Berlin, ³Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Brandenburg, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany

Rationale: Pre- and postconceptional folic acid (FA) deficiency is linked to adverse long-term health effects for the child. In Germany, according to World Health Organization recommendations, 95% of women of reproductive age have insufficient erythrocyte FA concentration. This study aimed to assess FA supplementation behaviour before and during pregnancy, compare it with German recommendations and examine relevant information sources.

Methods: A monocentric, retrospective, cross-sectional survey was conducted in November-December 2024 at a hospital in Berlin-Spandau, Germany. A self-designed 14-item questionnaire was administered to postpartum mothers. Supplementation behaviour was descriptively compared with the German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommendations. The relationship between information sources and supplementation behaviour was analysed using the chi-square test.

Results: Among 141 women surveyed, 94% (n=133) reported taking FA during pregnancy; 33% (n=44) adhered to the DGE recommendations. The main reason for non-adherence was unawareness of FA supplementation importance. The most common sources of information were the internet and gynaecologists. Women who informed themselves about FA supplementation (58%, n=82) adhered to the DGE recommendations more often than those who did not (p<0.001). 47% (n=62) first learned about FA during their initial prenatal exam (~6th gestational week). Those informed earlier, during a fertility consultation or a gynaecological preventive examination (24%, n=32) adhered to the DGE recommendations more frequently (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Merely one third of women supplemented FA according to national recommendations. Less than one third of women received information on FA supplementation before conception. Improved information on FA supplementation is warranted.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared