Folic acid supplements during the pre-conceptional and prenatal periods may decrease the risk of autism in offspring
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a natural form of vitamin B9 found in foods such as dark leafy greens, beans, oranges and bananas. Studies have revealed links between folic acid (FA) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Characteristics of ASD include difficulty in understanding social cues, engaging in repetitive behaviours, and having very specific interests.
Researchers conducted a population study on toddlers in China from August 2016 to March 2017. The results showed that the offspring of mothers who never took FA supplements had a higher risk of developing ASD.
“In the nationwide cross-sectional study conducted in China, we found that mothers who did not take FA supplements during the prenatal period had a higher risk of having offspring with ASD compared to those who did take FA supplements,” the researchers wrote in Frontiers in Public Health.
Previous research indicated that folate and FA supplements could lower the risk of ASD. However, these studies were done mostly in Western countries and the results showed inconsistencies. In a separate case study undertaken in China, researchers could not determine whether taking FA supplements at certain pregnancy stages affected the risk of ASD in offspring.
Therefore, to further explore the link between FA and ASD, 6,049 toddlers aged 16–30 months were assessed for this study. Their mothers were categorised into three groups: (1) continuously took FA supplements during the pre-conceptional and prenatal periods, (2) took FA supplements during either the pre-conceptional or prenatal period, and (3) never took FA supplements. The toddlers were then screened for ASD.
“We assessed the potential association between FA supplementation and the development of ASD in various times. During the pre-conceptional period, there appeared to be no detectable association between FA supplementation and the risk of offspring ASD,” said the researchers.
“However, mothers without FA supplements during both pre-conceptional and prenatal periods showed higher risks of having offspring with ASD compared to those who took continuous FA supplements.”
Therefore, maternal FA supplementation during the pre-conceptional and prenatal periods might have a protective effect against ASD.
These findings are consistent with previous studies that pointed to the protective role of prenatal FA supplementation.
The researchers concluded: “This study indicated that providing continuous maternal FA supplementation during the pre-conceptional and prenatal periods may decrease the risk of ASD in offspring. The prenatal period is considered to be the most crucial time for intervention.”
Source: Frontiers in Public Health
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1321046
“Examining associations of folic acid supplements administered to mothers during pre-conceptional and prenatal periods with autism spectrum disorders in their offspring: insights from a multi-center study in China”
Authors: Yan Jiang, Cuihua Guo et al.
