Folic Acid does not Prevent Premature Birth

In contrast to previous research, a large-scale study showed that consumption of folic acid during pregnancy is not effective in preventing preterm delivery. Women who are planning a pregnancy are advised to consume lots of folic acid during pregnancy occurs due to the growth of new cells and maintenance.

Classified as vitamin B folic acid is water soluble; lack of folic acid in women of childbearing age can cause the baby is born with neural tube defects and spinal cord. A study involving approximately 73,000 women in Norway found that folic acid consumption during pregnancy did not reduce the number of premature births as long as trusted. Based on research conducted in 1996 to 2006 against the respondents who consume folic acid, it found 955 cases of spontaneous preterm birth.

From the study’s data revealed folic acid is less effective in preventing spontaneous preterm birth. However, folic acid effect on subsequent pregnancies. The research results contrast with studies in the United States (U.S.) in 2008 which mentions the consumption of folic acid a year before pregnancy will reduce the risk of preterm delivery by 70 percent.

Some experts say the difference in results was due to several factors, namely differences in the respondent population, in which genetic factors influence. The second factor, a different study designs. In the U.S. study some women who were respondents in a year folic acid before conception.

Beyond the debate about the effects of folic acid on the prevention of premature births, experts still recommend consumption of this vitamin before and during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects or brain. The women are still advised to consume as much as 400 micrograms of folic acid every day when planning a pregnancy.