Abstract: Folic acid is a very important water-soluble vitamin in human milk, which is essential for embryonic development and growth. The folic acid in human milk often exists in the form of polyglutamic acid salts (≥ 4 glutamyl residues), such as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Folic acid deficiency may lead to birth defects such as neural tube defect and congenital heart disease. This article introduces the folic acid content in breast milk from different countries/regions, the factors influencing it and its health effects in order to provide a reference for the development of infant formula milk powder.

Key words: folic acid; human milk; neural tube defect; birth defects; infant formula milk powder

摘要： 叶酸是母乳中一种非常重要的水溶性维生素，是胚胎发育、生长的必需物质。母乳中叶酸常以多谷氨酸盐（≥4 个谷酰基残基）形式存在，如5-亚甲基四氢叶酸。叶酸缺乏可能导致出生缺陷，如神经管畸形、先天性心脏病等。本文介绍不同国家/地区母乳中叶酸的含量、影响因素及其健康作用等，以期为婴幼儿配方食品的研发提供参考依据。

关键词: 叶酸；母乳；神经管畸形；出生缺陷；婴幼儿配方乳粉