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Folic Acid May Support Baby's Behavior

February 2010

Recommendations to increase folic acid intakes during the early stages of pregnancy may promote mental and emotional health in children, says a new study. Dutch researchers report that the children of mothers who took folic acid supplements during pregnancy had greater support in regards to internalizing and externalizing problems compared to the children of mothers who did not take supplements, according to findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition. The research adds to the mother and child benefits of folic acid, in addition to the established link to reducing the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs). The new study indicates that folic acid taken by mothers promotes healthy behavior in their offspring. In light of their findings, researchers noted several potential mechanisms, including the role of folates on the direct development of the central nervous system.

British Journal of Nutrition Published online ahead of print.

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