Folic acid in pregnancy: new studies on the pros and cons

Source: contrast

THEfolic acid, for some time now recommended during pregnancy to reduce the risk of congenital malformations developing in the fetus, also has another no less important effect: it decreases the probability of giving birth to an underweight baby, a condition associated with an increase in neonatal mortality and chronic diseases in old age, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes and problems with mental health. (Read also The pregnancy diet)



The novelty regarding folic acid emerges from a study conducted at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals and published in the “An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology”. The research, coordinated by Victoria Hodgetts, examined 108 British women with an average age of 28,7 years, normal build, 42% primiparous and 82% non-smokers. According to the results, the proportion of newborns who at birth had a weight below the 10th percentile (i.e. that recorded in 13,8% of newborns) was 16,3% among women who had taken folic acid during pregnancy, while it rose to 9,9. , XNUMX% among those who had not used it. If folate had already been taken before conception, then the percentage of newborns weighing less than the tenth percentile dropped to XNUMX%. (See also Pregnancy Guide)



On the other hand, however, if folic acid is taken in too high doses during gestation (over 0,5 mg, against the 0,4 normally recommended), according to a Spanish study published in the Jama Pediatrics journal and also reported on the drug's Agenzia Del Paesena website, there is a risk of negative consequences on the development of the child's psychomotor skills in the first year of age.

20 PHOTOS
Folic acid in pregnancy: new studies on the pros and cons

Folic acid, 18 foods that contain it

go to the gallery

Women of childbearing potential who are planning to become pregnant should supplement their diet with folic acid. Proper nutrition allows you to cover your needs ...



The research found that one-year-old babies born to pregnant mothers who took folic acid in higher than recommended dosages had lower scores on the psychomotor scale. "It is the first time - the researchers comment - that harmful effects have emerged deriving from the intake of folic acid during pregnancy in too high dosages. Further studies will be carried out to confirm these results ”.



21 PHOTOS

3D ultrasound of the fetus

go to the gallery

Here are some beautiful 3D ultrasound scans, which document the evolution of the fetus from the third week of pregnancy. Details on little hands, lips, fountain and feet. In the pictures...

Read also: Folic acid and fertility

MyModernParents services to cope well with pregnancy:

- Calculate your pregnancy week and read the advice week by week

 

- Calculate the estimated date of delivery online

 

- Sign up for the pregnancy newsletter

 

- Calculate the length of the fetus

 

- Forum: here you can ask other mothers and future mothers for advice

 

- Mammenellarete blog: here you can read many stories about pregnancy

 

You may be interested in the video ULTRASOUND 5-8 WEEKS

 

TAG:
  • folic acid
  • folic acid pregnancy
  • underweight baby
  • wellness in pregnancy
add a comment of Folic acid in pregnancy: new studies on the pros and cons
Comment sent successfully! We will review it in the next few hours.