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Updated: May 18, 2026

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Maternal B vitamin status in pregnancy week 18 according to reported use of folic acid supplements
Anne Lise Bjørke-Monsen1, Christine Roth, Per Magnus
1Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. almo@helse-bergen.no
Scope:
Epidemiological studies on the association between pregnancy outcomes and use of periconceptional folic acid are often based on maternal reported intake. Use of folic acid during pregnancy is associated with a higher socioeconomic status known to have an impact on diet quality. We have studied plasma B vitamin status according to reported use of folic acid supplements during the periconceptional period in Norwegian women.
Methods And Results:
Plasma levels of folate, cobalamin, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (vitamin B6), riboflavin, and the metabolic markers total homocysteine, methylmalonic acid and 3-hydro-xykynurenine were measured in pregnancy week 18 and related to reported intake of folic acid from 4 weeks prior to conception throughout week 18 in 2911 women from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Being a folic acid user during the periconceptional period was associated with a better socioeconomic status, and a higher intake of several micronutrients, including vitamins, trace-metals, and omega 3 fatty acids. Folic acid users had a significantly better plasma B vitamin status.
Conclusion:
Epidemiological data based on maternal reported intake of folic acid supplements during pregnancy, should take into account the numerous nutritional implications, in addition to higher blood folate levels, of being a folic acid user.
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