Over the last several decades, evidence indicates that many strategies to prevent the two leading causes of infant mortality in the developed world – birth defects and prematurity\/low birthweight – have their greatest influence when commenced before a pregnancy is conceived. The traditional prenatal care pathway to preventing poor pregnancy outcomes is often inadequate because it starts too late. A good example is that adequate folate levels at the time of organogenesis (days 17-56 after conception) is associated with a 50%-70% reduction in neural tube defects. By waiting to start vitamins with folic acid at the first prenatal visit it will be too late to prevent most neural tube defects.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, as illustrated by the articles featured in this issue, most women, even those hoping to become pregnant, are not adopting proven protective behaviors before conception. Many explanations exist: health promoting messages are not reaching women; they are being framed in a way that lacks personal relevance; they are not reiterated regularly; they involve personal or financial costs that are judged negatively; or they lack credibility. The bottom line is that impacting health choice, such as eating more green leafy vegetables, taking a multivitamin with folic acid daily or achieving a healthy BMI, is far more complex than we know how to address. Until translational research receives the funding and respect it deserves, we will continue to have a disconnect between the science we know and its ability to shape the futures of today\u2019s women and tomorrow\u2019s children.<\/p>\n","auteur":null},"elements_rattaches":false},"yoast_head":"\n