Endre Czeizel and the concept of primary prevention of congenital malformations of the fetus

Abstract

The article describes the history of development of the concept of primary prevention of congenital malformations of the fetus via periconceptional receiving of multivitamin preparations containing folic acid. The results of Hungarian studies on the use of multivitamins are also given below as well as the current understanding of the mechanism of the prophylactic action of folic acid from a position of pharmacogenetics. The data on the use of different biochemical forms of folate is presented as well.

Keywords

• mthfr
• folic acid
• fetal malformations
• neural tube defects
• vitamin prophylaxis
• the mthfr
• multivitamins
• pregravid preparation
• nutrition during pregnancy
• history of medicine