A 26-year-old woman with epilepsy on carbamazepine attends preconception counselling. What daily dose of folic acid should she take to reduce the risk of neural tube defects?

• A 400 micrograms
• B 1 mg
• C 10 mg
• D 5 mg ✓

Explanation

Women on antiepileptic drugs such as carbamazepine and valproate are at increased risk of neural tube defects and require high dose folic acid, 5 mg daily from before conception through the first trimester. The 400 microgram dose is reserved for low risk women. In Indian exam convention, 5 mg is the accepted answer for any high risk category including previous affected child, diabetes, obesity, and antiepileptic use.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.