Folate level during pregnancy and cognitive development of children

In new research published in the journal British Journal of Nutrition, Dutch scientists noted that low folate levels during pregnancy were associated with smaller brain volume and poorer language and visual-spatial abilities (such as spatial orientation) in children aged 6-8.

The research was conducted on a sample of 256 children whose mothers were monitored during the second condition as part of an extensive Dutch epidemiological study. The emotional and psychological development of the children was assessed with various tests and their intelligence was tested, and their brain volume was determined with magnetic resonance imaging.

The results showed that children of mothers who had poor folate status during pregnancy had smaller brain volumes from children whose mothers' folate status was not compromised.On the other hand, no association between vitamin B12 levels, homocysteine ​​and brain volume and problem behavior was observed. But, a link was established between high levels of homocysteine (which is most often the result of folate or vitamin B12 deficiency) and lower intelligence in children.

The authors therefore concluded that the research speaks in favor recommendation on the use of folic acid supplements during the second state. In addition to being known to cause major defects, a lack of this important B vitamin can apparently lead to more subtle changes during brain development.

Literature:                                                                                                        

1. C.L. Ars et al.Prenatal folate, homocysteine ​​and vitamin B12 levels and child brain volumes, cognitive development and psychological functioning: the Generation R Study. No. J Nutr. 2016; 22:1-9.