Objective To examine whether multiparous women have more or less folic acid uptake than primiparous women. Outcomes Preconceptional, periconceptional and postconceptional folic acid use among all pregnant women and high risk pregnant women.
Eligibility criteria Observational epidemiological studies comparing folic acid use between primiparous and multiparous women, published in English from January 1994 to June 2024. Data extraction and synthesis Two reviewers screened all papers meeting the eligibility criteria.
One reviewer completed data extraction and assessed study quality using an adapted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Three other reviewers independently assessed 10% of the studies as a quality check.
Random-effects (DerSimonian and Laird) meta-analyses combined results for each outcome. Heterogeneity, risk of publication bias and certainty of evidence were assessed.
Results Of the 10 982 records identified, 81 studies involving 826 855 women were included in the review. 27 studies were conducted in Europe, 22 in Asia, 11 in North America, 7 in Africa, 7 in Australia, 5 in the Middle East and 2 in South America.
BMJ Open published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 04 May 2026.
The item focuses on Does previous pregnancy experience improve folic acid supplementation uptake?
A systematic review and meta-analysis.
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