Folic acid supplements linked to childhood asthma

November 5, 2009 by Shawn Douglas
Filed under: Baby Health, Pregnancy

Folic acid supplements taken throughout pregnancy may increase risk of childhood asthma by as much as 26 percent, researchers say.

New research out of the University of Adelaide in Australia has found that pregnant women who ingest folic acid supplements in late pregnancy may increase the risk of asthma in their children.

Researchers studied 500 Australian women, assessing their maternal diet and supplement intake at two different times during pregnancy. Afterwards, the group followed up with the mothers when the children were 3.5 years and 5.5 years old, gauging the children’s asthma status.

Previous research with mice suggested a link, and the authors believe it’s the first time that a link was found in humans.

“We believe that this is the first published study in humans to demonstrate that increasing consumption of folic acid, and specifically supplemental folate during late pregnancy, significantly increases the risk of physician-diagnosed asthma in the child at 3.5 years, persistent asthma (at 3.5 and 5.5 years), and possibly asthma at 5.5 years,” said the research team, who published their findings in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

However, the researchers cautioned that there was more work to be done before a hard link could be assumed.

“We acknowledge the need for further studies replicating our findings before any specific recommendations against folic acid supplementation in late pregnancy can be made,” said associate professor Michael Davies, who headed the research.

Asthma UK’s director of research, Leanne Metcalf, agreed that it was too early to draw conclusions based on the study data.

“As the relationship between folic acid and asthma has only recently come under scrutiny, it is important to emphasize that further research is needed before we can make any definite recommendations,” said Metcalf.

“At the moment however we can say that the benefits of taking folic acid supplements in pregnancy, particularly with regards to prevention of birth defects like spina bifida, far outweigh the risk of developing asthma, so we would advise expectant mothers to continue taking dietary supplements as directed by their doctor.”

“We know that eating healthily is vital during pregnancy, so we would strongly urge all mums-to-be to eat a healthy balanced diet and not to smoke during pregnancy to give their baby the best possible chance of a healthy, asthma-free childhood.”