BACKGROUND Folic acid (FA) supplementation before and during the first trimester can reduce the risk of occurrence of preterm delivery (PTD). Preconception body mass index (BMI) is also associated with PTD. This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of FA supplements and preconception BMI on the risk of PTD. METHODS The data of a cohort from 2010-2011 that was obtained through a prec...

Given that nearly one-half of pregnancies are unintended, preconception care should be considered an integral part of primary care for women of reproductive age. Common issues in preconception care include family planning, achieving a healthy body weight, screening and treatment for infectious diseases, updating appropriate immunizations, and reviewing medications for teratogenic effects. Women...

The objective of this study was to describe the reproductive profile of women with diabetes mellitus (DM) and to identify their knowledge regarding maternal and fetal risks and preconception care. This exploratory study was performed at the Integrated Center for Hypertension and Diabetes, from March to July 2009, on a sample consisting of 106 women. The variables were: number of pregnancies, bi...

The recent publications on preconception health and care are very interesting (1). Indeed, the ethical issues are important concerns. The published article by Kihlbom focused upon preconception genetic screening with expanded panels, but it is only for one trait (2). I would like to share the practice in my country on the screening of complex endemic genetic problems. In Thailand, genetic carri...

Women with diabetes need to plan for pregnancy if they are to reduce their risk of poor pregnancy outcome. While care providers have focused on setting up specialist pre-pregnancy planning clinics to help women prepare for pregnancy, the majority of women do not attend, entering pregnancy unprepared. A major barrier to accessing this care, and a consequence of poor preconception counselling, is...