Folic Acid May Help Reduce Autism Rates
A new study published February 12, 2013 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) further confirms the benefits of folic acid when taken by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant. The study found a link between folic acid intake and reduced rates of autism.
Specifically, the study followed more than 85,000 Norwegian children born between 2002 and 2008 for an average of six years. The mothers of these children were asked about their folic acid intake prior to becoming pregnant and during pregnancy. In the study, researchers identified the critical window for taking folic acid as being the period from four weeks prior to conception to eight weeks after conception. Women who took folic acid during this time period were 27% less likely to give birth to a child with any autism spectrum disorder, including the severe form of autism disorder and Asperger’s syndrome. Overall, the women in the study who took folic acid supplements during the critical window experienced a 40% relative risk reduction in the likelihood of delivering a child who would later be diagnosed with autism.
Healthcare providers can find more information in the article cited below:
Suren P, Roth C, Breshanam M, et al. Association between maternal use of folic acid supplements and risk of autism spectrum disorders in children. JAMA. 2013 Feb 13;309(6):570-7. Link to Suren et al abstract at PubMed.gov
Tags: 400 mcg, autism, births, folate, folic acid, pregnancy