Science and Health

Folic acid linked to childhood asthma: Australian study

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-04 15:33

SYDNEY: Pregnant women, who take folic acid supplements to boost their baby's health, are increasing their risk of having a child with asthma, a groundbreaking Australian study revealed on Wednesday.

The study, which could explain rising rates of the chronic lung condition, found pregnant women who overuse the supplement were 30 percent more likely to have a child with asthma.

Taking a folic acid supplement is recommended for w

omen who intend to become pregnant, as it is known to prevent neural tube defects during a foetus' critical first weeks in the womb.

Associate Professor Michael Davies, from the University of Adelaide's Robinson Institute, has uncovered an "additional and unexpected" consequence for women who also take the supplement throughout their pregnancy.

"We see a substantial proportion of women taking these folate supplements throughout pregnancy, and it may be because people think it is entirely benign," Davies said.

"Folate is incredibly important because of its role in preventing neural tube defects (like spina bifida) but because it is so important, and so bioactive, it needs to be treated with some respect as well."

Davies reviewed the cases of more than 550 women who had given birth, assessing their diet and supplement intake before pregnancy and then rates of asthma among their children.

For women who took the supplements according to advice - before conception and not more than several weeks into their pregnancy - there was no increased risk of asthma.

However, Davies found women who took the supplement throughout their pregnancy, or from 16 to 30 weeks, increased their risk of having a child with asthma by about 30 percent.

Childhood asthma rates have been increasing across developed countries and Davies said his research showed how changing diet, and particularly the overuse of a supplement, could play a role.