Medical experts urge expectant women to take a sufficient dosage of folic acid during the initial stages of their pregnancy.

Various studies, including one by the March of Dimes Foundation, found that the compound helps an unborn baby's epithelial tube to be developed correctly.

The neural tube is part of a developing baby that eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord. If the neural tube does not close properly, the baby acquires a severe neural tube defect.

Research studies say the best way to obtain the right amount of folic acid is to consume a healthy diet and take a multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid in it.

A recent report from Bloomberg said pregnant women who take folic acid supplements are less likely to bear children with language delays.

These findings were derived from published accounts of the Journal of the American Medical Association and a Norwegian study.

On the other hand, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said although a woman can get enough folic acid every day by taking a vitamin containing folic acid or eating a serving of fortified breakfast cereal, many women are not fully aware of the importance of folic acid until they are already pregnant.

Christine Roth, a doctoral student in the Division of Mental Health at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo, suggested that "women should follow the public health advice of starting to take a folic acid supplement before they become pregnant."

Folic acid deficiency has decreased considerably since the United States and Canada introduced a mandatory folic acid food fortification program in 1998. But people with excessive alcohol intake and malnutrition are still at high risk of folic acid deficiency.

Folic acid is used in bodies of human beings for cell formation and multiplication, DNA replication, formation of red and white blood cells, and other essential central functions. Natural folic acid is derived from foods such as green, leafy vegetables, fruits, beans, peas, peanuts, and meat sources.

But there can be side effects from the consumption of comparatively big doses of folic acid supplements. These include nausea, insomnia, decreased appetite, flatulence, abdominal distension, difficulty concentrating and some bitter taste in the tongue.

Authors of the Norwegian study said more study is needed to find out how folic acid prevents language difficulties.