Another Good Reason for Women of Childbearing Age to Take Folic Acid

A new study reports that women taking folic acid before pregnancy were less likely to give birth to children with autism. The risk of having a child with autism was reduced by 40% among women who had taken folic acid supplements from four weeks prior to conception and continuing eight weeks into the pregnancy.

Suren P, et al. Association Between Maternal Use of Folic Acid Supplements and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children. JAMA. 2013;309(6):570-577.

Periconceptional Folic Acid and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders (Editorial in JAMA)

Study Finds More Benefits of Folic Acid (New York Times)