Folic Acid in Pregnancy Might Lower Autism Risk

According to Norwegian researchers, folic acid taken before and during pregnancy might lower the risk of autism. Women who take folic acid supplements a month before the pregnancy as well as in the first weeks of pregnancy may have a lower risk of giving birth to autistic children.

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate and plays a vital role in the production of new cells during pregnancy and infancy. Folate and folic acid are necessary to produce RNA and DNA, to make healthy red blood cells, and to metabolize homocysteine.

About the Study

The authors of the study deduced that folic acid supplements around the time of conception reduce the risk of neural defects in children, leading to the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid. Generally, women who are planning to become pregnant ideally take a daily supplement of folic acid a month prior to conception.

Pal Suren, MD, MPH of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and his team investigated the link between the intake of folic acid supplements around conception and the subsequent reduction in the risk of autism in children.

The study involved 85,176 children born in 2002-2008. By the end of 2012, the children’s ages ranged between 3.3 and 10.2, with an average of 6.4.

Results

The results showed that .32% or 270 of the children were diagnosed with autism eventually. 114 of which had autistic disorder, 56 had Asperger’s, and 100 had PDD-NOS. An inverse risk was also found between the use of folic acid before and during the pregnancy and the subsequent diagnosis of ASD. .10% of the children whose mothers took folic acid a month before conception and on the first 2 months of pregnancy were diagnosed, while .21% of children whose mothers did not take folic acid were diagnosed with ASD.

Conclusion 

Other studies have found similar results, such as one from UC Davis MIND Institute, which found that taking folic acid during the first month of pregnancy reduces the risk of having an autistic child.

Although the findings do not establish a cause-effect relationship between autism and folic acid use, they provide a rationale for replicating the analyses in other studies to further investigate the genetic factors and biological mechanisms that may explain the association.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Your Guide to Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are the best way to make sure both you and your baby are getting all of the essential nutrients you need. Your doctor or midwife has likely recommended them from your first prenatal visit.

Can I skip the vitamins?

Experts recommend that all pregnant women should take a daily prenatal vitamin. While it may be possible to eat a diet containing all of the essential vitamins and minerals, the prenatal vitamin is a foolproof way to be certain you’re not missing out. By taking prenatal vitamins and eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, you sleep soundly knowing your baby should be getting all the goodness he needs.

Folic acid

Folic acid is an essential B vitamin that can reduce your baby’s risk of developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Pregnant women are advised to take 400 mcg of folic acid daily. Check the label of your prenatal vitamins to make sure you are getting enough of this vital vitamin.

Iron

Your body will require more iron during pregnancy. Though you have iron stores in your body, these will be running low by the second half of the pregnancy. After week 20, you may like to start taking an iron supplement. Some prenatal vitamins will already contain iron, so to see whether yours do before adding another supplement.

If you have been diagnosed with anaemia or an iron deficiency, speak to your doctor about your require iron dosage. Iron supplements can cause digestion problems, so please speak to your healthcare provider if you suffer any side effects.

When should I start taking prenatal vitamins?

You should start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you find out you are pregnant. Ideally, you should take them when trying to conceive, too. You should continue to take the vitamins until the end of your pregnancy. Some prenatal vitamins are also suitable for consumption during breastfeeding, and can continue to ensure you are best equipped to nurture your baby. Speak to your healthcare provider about which vitamins are suitable to take during breastfeeding.

A safety net

Prenatal vitamins are not an alternative to a healthy diet. Ideally you should be including both in your pregnancy lifestyle. Include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, wholegrain, nuts, seeds and milk or soya products in your diet. Avoid empty calories, and focus on getting the most nutrition in every bite you eat.

How do you make sure you don’t forget to take your prenatal vitamins?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.