Washington: Children whose mothers have
taken folic acid supplements in late pregnancy are at greater
risk of developing allergic asthma, researchers said.
According to a recent study by University of Adelaide`s
Robinson Institute, supplemental folic acid in late pregnancy
was associated with an increased risk of asthma in children at
the age of 3 to 5 years.
The timing of supplementation in pregnancy is important,
one of the authors Michael Davies said, adding "folic acid
supplements - recommended for pregnant women to prevent birth
defects - appear to have "additional and unexpected"
consequences in recent studies in mice and infants".
"In our study, supplemental folic acid in late pregnancy
was associated with an increased risk of asthma in children,
but there was no evidence to suggest any adverse effects if
supplements were taken in early pregnancy," he said.
The study involved more than 500 women whose maternal
diet and supplements were assessed twice during their
pregnancy, with follow-up on their child`s asthma status at
3.5 years and 5.5 years, American Journal of Epidemiology
reported.
Asthma was reported in 11.6 per cent of children at 3.5
years and 11.8 per cent of children at 5.5 years. Nearly a
third of these children reported persistent asthma.
Current public health guidelines recommend that women
consume a supplemental dose of 400 micrograms of folic acid
per day in the month preceding and during the first trimester
of pregnancy.
Bureau Report