Folic acid research questioned

Public health campaigners have disputed research that questions the benefits of pregnant women taking folic acid.

The analysis of 955 premature births and 18,075 controls in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study found ‘no significant association’ with folic acid, although previous studies have found links.

But the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH) said the research should be disregarded because “it is universally accepted that folic acid has a strong preventative role” if taken during the first three months of pregnancy. It said newspaper reports about the research may put women off taking folic acid.

ASBAH chief executive Jackie Bland, said: “We urge the media to ensure that they don't mix their messages and, instead, take this as an opportunity to reiterate the essential public health message that folic acid does significantly decrease the risk of spina bifida in pregnancy - for which it is recommended by the Department of Health, for all women who could get pregnant.”