Folic acid supplements during pregnancy may not only reduce the risk of birth defects but also protect the children from congenital heart defects. Children of women who took at least 400 micrograms per day during pregnancy were about 20 per cent less likely to develop congenital heart defects (CHDs), compared to children of women who did not take additional folic acid, according to findings published this week in the European Heart Journal.
The Dutch researchers analysed data from over 3,000 mothers and infants for their case-control study. Children of women who took additional folic acid, defined as a daily single supplement or as a multivitamin containing a folic acid dose of at least 400 micrograms, were found to have an 18 per cent lower risk of CHDs. In a subgroup analysis, additional folic acid was associated with a 38 per cent reduction in isolated septal defects, said the researchers. With such obvious benefits for the child, the researchers said that their findings may have important implications for public health.
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