Folic Acid May Reduce Incidence of Down Syndrome

Increasing folate levels in women prior to conception may reduce the incidence of Down syndrome, according to a study funded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women's Health.

This study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed that mothers of babies with Down syndrome often have the same genetic abnormality in folate metabolism associated with spina bifida. The study suggests that the FDA's mandate to fortify foods with folic acid may have additional long-term health benefits. Says lead author Jill James, PhD, at the FDA-National Center for Toxicological Research, "Our preliminary research is promising, however, a larger clinical study is needed to determine whether folic acid supplementation two to three months prior to conception will reduce the incidence of Down syndrome."

Previous studies have proven that inadequate folate status at the time of conception increases the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida—the leading cause of childhood paralysis. In 1998, the US-FDA mandated that 140 micrograms of folic acid be added to every 100 gm of enriched grain products such as pasta, breakfast cereals, and flour. This mandate was intended to increase the amount of folic acid in the typical American diet and ultimately to reduce the incidence of birth defects.

Edited by Scott Hegenbart