folate - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Folic Acid Supplementation: When to Start? How Long to Continue?

Folic acid supplementation before and during early pregnancy substantially reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Emerging research suggests that folic acid may have beneficial effects on neurodevelopment that extend beyond the first trimester. We review the evidence on the timing of folic acid supplementation and findings from the FASSTT randomized controlled trial, which examined whether supplementation during the second and third trimesters was associated with improved cognitive outcomes in children.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2026-09-15T10:47:35-04:00September 16th, 2026|Child Outcomes, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Essential Reads: Why All Women of Reproductive Age Should Take Folic Acid

Folic Acid Awareness Week (Sept 13-19, 2026) focuses on the importance of daily folic acid supplements for women to prevent birth defects, as diet alone is often insufficient.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2026-09-15T10:45:20-04:00September 15th, 2026|Medications and Pregnancy, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

Essential Reads: Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children with Prenatal Exposure to Antiepileptic Drugs

There is a growing body of literature to indicate that exposure to certain antiepileptic drugs, most notably valproic acid (VPA, Depakote) during critical periods of development may be associated with long-lasting neurodevelopmental deficits.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-06-26T09:07:34-04:00September 1st, 2021|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Essential Reads, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

You Asked: Should Women Taking Lamotrigine (Lamictal) Use Higher Dose of Folic Acid When Planning for Pregnancy?

We have really enjoyed our weekly virtual rounds. It’s been a great opportunity to meet other perinatal psychiatrists in the community, and discussions with new people always brings up interesting clinical questions. Last week [...]

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-06-26T09:06:59-04:00May 20th, 2020|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Pregnancy & Medications, Treatment, You Asked|Comments Off

Prenatal Folate Increases Child Brain Volumes, Improves Cognitive Development

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) unequivocally recommends that ALL WOMEN who are either planning or capable of pregnancy take a DAILY SUPPLEMENT containing 0.4 TO 0.8 mg (400-800 µg) OF FOLIC ACID. [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-08-13T14:21:02-04:00February 26th, 2020|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Folic Acid Essential for All Women of Reproductive Age

Last week was National Folate Awareness Week. While this post may be a little late, it is never too late to remind women of reproductive age of the importance of taking supplemental folic acid. [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-11-26T08:23:52-04:00January 28th, 2020|General, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

New Research from the CWMH: Prenatal Supplement Containing Folate May Reduce Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy

While there is research to support the reproductive safety of many antidepressants, many woman and their providers ask about alternatives to traditional antidepressants in women who are pregnant or planning to conceive. In a [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-08-03T15:43:14-04:00February 6th, 2019|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

Hispanic Women at High Risk for Neural Tube Defects, May Not Have Adequate Dietary Folic Acid

Because folate deficiency in pregnant women has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects, including anencephaly and spina bifida, it is recommended that all women take folic acid supplements before and during [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-11-08T10:35:34-04:00October 30th, 2018|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

Autism Spectrum Disorders and Maternal Nutrition

Current research suggests that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) occur as a result of events that take place during pregnancy. While genetic factors play an important role, non-heritable risk factors contribute to a substantial proportion of [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2017-11-08T22:49:48-04:00November 8th, 2017|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

In Brief: Folate Supplements During Pregnancy Reduce Risk of Autism

Mothers exposed to household or agricultural pesticides immediately before and during their pregnancies have a higher risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, a recent study from California indicates that taking [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2017-11-08T22:20:23-04:00October 16th, 2017|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off