scholarly journals Periconception folic acid supplementation, fetal growth and the risks of low birth weight and preterm birth: the Generation R Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 777-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Timmermans ◽  
Vincent W. V. Jaddoe ◽  
Albert Hofman ◽  
Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen ◽  
Eric A. P. Steegers
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Folic Acid Supplement ◽  
Acid Supplementation

Countries worldwide, including the Netherlands, recommend that women planning pregnancy use a folic acid supplement during the periconception period. Some countries even fortify staple foods with folic acid. These recommendations mainly focus on the prevention of neural tube defects, despite increasing evidence that folic acid may also influence birth weight. We examined whether periconception folic acid supplementation affects fetal growth and the risks of low birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth, in the Generation R Study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Main outcome measures were fetal growth measured in mid- and late pregnancy by ultrasound, birth weight, SGA and preterm birth in relation to periconception folic supplementation (0·4–0·5 mg). Data on 6353 pregnancies were available. Periconception folic acid supplementation was positively associated with fetal growth. Preconception folic acid supplementation was associated with 68 g higher birth weight (95 % CI 37·2, 99·0) and 13 g higher placental weight (95 % CI 1·1, 25·5), compared to no folic acid supplementation. In these analyses parity significantly modified the effect estimates. Start of folic acid supplementation after pregnancy confirmation was associated with a reduced risk of low birth weight (OR 0·61, 95 % CI 0·40, 0·94). Similarly, reduced risks for low birth weight and SGA were observed for women who started supplementation preconceptionally, compared to those who did not use folic acid (OR 0·43, 95 % CI 0·28, 0·69 and OR 0·40, 95 % CI 0·22, 0·72). In conclusion, periconception folic acid supplementation is associated with increased fetal growth resulting in higher placental and birth weight, and decreased risks of low birth weight and SGA.

scholarly journals Association between iron and folic acid supplementation and birth weight in Ethiopia: systemic review and meta analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andualem Zenebe ◽  
Kaleab Tesfaye Tegegne ◽  
Berhanu Bifato ◽  
Abiyu Ayalew Assefa
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Systemic Review ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid

Abstract Background Previous studies on iron with folic acid supplementation and low birth weight indicated different findings. The aim of the current systemic review and meta-analysis was to examine the relationship between iron and folic acid supplementation and birth weight in Ethiopia. Main body The databases searched were PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Cochrane Library in January 2021. AZ, KTT and AAA carried out the data extraction and independently assessed the articles for inclusion in the review using risk-of-bias tool guided by PRISMA checklist. The combined Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated using random effect model. Twenty four observational studies involving 10,989 participants, 2423 newborns who were born LBW were included. The combined effect size (OR) for low birth weight comparing women who have Iron and Folic acid supplementation versus women who did not have iron and folic acid supplementation was 0.39 (95% CI 0.27–0.59, p < 0.00001, I2 = 91%). There was significant heterogeneity (Q = 264.16, I2 = 91%, p < 0.00001). No publication bias was observed (Egger’s test: p = 0.742, Begg’s test: p = 0.372). Overall 69.5% of women reported having iron and folic acid supplementation during current pregnancy. And the overall proportion of low birth weight was 22.1%. Conclusions Women who were supplied with iron and folic acid during pregnancy had a 67% decreased chance of delivering low birth weight new born in Ethiopia.

ERRATA

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 945-945
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Low Birth Weight Infants ◽  
Acid Supplementation

In the article "Folic Acid Supplementation in Low Birth Weight Infants," by Stevens et al (Pediatrics 64:333-335, 1979) two corrections were received after the journal went to press. In Table 1, RCF values should read ng/ml not µg/ml. On page 335, first column, line 21, RCF levels should read less than 100 ng/ml not 100 µg/ml.

scholarly journals Assessment of different folic acid supplementation doses for low-birth-weight infants

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 210-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Cakmak Celik ◽  
Canan Aygun ◽  
Sedat Gulten ◽  
Abdulkerim Bedir ◽  
Erhan Cetinoglu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Low Birth Weight Infants ◽  
Acid Supplementation

scholarly journals Folic Acid Supplementation on Fetal Growth at Different Gestational Ages

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1761-1766
Author(s):  
Hannah Sugirthabai Rajila Rajendran ◽  
Thotakura Balaji ◽  
Jyothi Ashok Kumar ◽  
Santhosh Kumar ◽  
Vaithianathan Gnanasundaram
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Fetal Biometry ◽  
Vitamin B9 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Low Birth Weight Babies ◽  
Positive Effect

Introduction: Folate, Vitamin B9, is found naturally in our day to day foods. It is vital for synthesis of DNA and normal cell division in humans. Studies have revealed constantly that maternal folic acid[FA] intake prior to and in early conception decreases neural tube defects. Aim: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the relationship between FA intake by the mother during conception and fetal growth at different gestational ages and also if, periconceptional and preconceptional FA intake has a positive effect on fetal growth, hence reducing the risk of low birth weight babies or small for gestational age (SGA) babies. Materials and methods: 180 pregnant women were classified based on their period of FA intake as preconception, periconception FA intake and nil FA intake. Standard fetal biometric parameters were measured using ultrasonogram during the 1st , 2nd and 3rd trimester of their pregnancy. Results: Preconception FA intake had a positive effect on fetal growth as compared to those who abstained from FA supplementation. Intake during preconception and peri-conception i.e. immediately after confirmation of pregnancy was found to have a reduced risk of low fetal weight as against those who did not consume FA. Fetal biometry showed significant difference between preconception and periconception groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, preconceptional and periconceptional FA supplementation of 0.4-0.5 mg/day was positively affecting fetal growth and caused an optimal birth weight by decreasing the incidence of low birth weight.

Folic Acid Supplementation in Low Birth Weight Infants

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Stevens ◽  
David Burman ◽  
M. Keith Strelling ◽  
Audrey Morris
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Acid Group ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Folate Intake ◽  
Red Cell ◽  
Low Birth Weight Infants ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Significant Difference

Low birth weight infants(246) entered a trial of folic acid supplementation from 3 weeks to 12 months of age. The folic acid group had significantly higher mean hemoglobin levels at 6 and 9 months of age but the differences were only about 0.5 gm/dl, there was no significant difference in hematocrit, and in both groups of infants the mean hemoglobin levels were higher than those of normal birth weight infants. The differences in hemoglobin, although statistically significant, are of uncertain clinical significance. Median red cell folate levels remained within the normal adult range in both groups of infants. A minority of infants in the untreated group had low red cell folate levels but this was usually temporary, corrected by dietary folate, and not associated with low hemoglobin. Weight gain was not affected by folic acid supplementation. The infants in this trial were fed with a milk preparation containing 3.5 µg/100 ml of folic acid which is a similar concentration to that of human milk and we recommend that the folate content of milks fed to low birth weight infants should not fall below this level. We do not have sufficient grounds to recommend routine folic acid supplements for all low birth weight infants throughout the first year of life but there is a possibility that their folate intake may sometimes be suboptimal.

scholarly journals Use of Antibiotic Treatment in Pregnancy and the Risk of Several Neonatal Outcomes: A Population-Based Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12621
Author(s):  
Anna Cantarutti ◽  
Federico Rea ◽  
Matteo Franchi ◽  
Benedetta Beccalli ◽  
Anna Locatelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Apgar Score ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Lombardy Region ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Limited evidence is available on the safety and efficacy of antimicrobials during pregnancy, with even less according to the trimester of their use. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to antibiotics therapy (AT) during pregnancy and short-term neonatal outcomes. Methods: We considered 773,237 deliveries that occurred between 2007–2017 in the Lombardy region of Italy. We evaluated the risk of neonatal outcomes among infants that were born to mothers who underwent AT during pregnancy. The odds ratios and the hazard ratios, with the 95% confidence intervals, were estimated respectively for early (first/second trimester) and late (third trimester) exposure. The propensity score was used to account for potential confounders. We also performed subgroup analysis for the class of AT. Results: We identified 132,024 and 76,921 singletons that were exposed to AT during early and late pregnancy, respectively. Infants born to mothers with early exposure had 17, 11, and 16% increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and low Apgar score, respectively. Infants that were exposed in late pregnancy had 25, 11, and 13% increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and low Apgar score, respectively. The results were consistent in the subgroup analysis. Conclusion: Our results suggested an increased risk of several neonatal outcomes in women exposed to ATs during pregnancy, albeit we were not able to assess to what extent the observed effects were due to the infection itself. To reduce the risk of neonatal outcomes, women that are prescribed AT during pregnancy should be closely monitored.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document