 |
Folic acid has long been recommended for women who may become pregnant because it reduces the risk of neural tube defects in their babies.
Among children whose mothers took folic acid, only 0.10 percent (64/61,042) were diagnosed with autistic disorder, compared to 0.21 percent (50/24,134) among those whose mothers did not take folic acid, wrote Pål Surén, M.D., M.P.H., of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo, in the February 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Use of folic acid did not have an effect on rates of other autism spectrum disorders. Starting folic acid supplements midway through pregnancy had no effect, and there was no correlation with maternal intake of folate through food.
“The study does not prove that folic acid supplements can prevent childhood autism,” said Surén, in a statement. “However, the findings are so apparent that they constitute a good argument to further examine possible causal mechanisms.”
For more in Psychiatric News about risk factors for autism, click here.
(Image: Rob Hyrons/Shutterstock.com)