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Trends in folic acid supplementation during pregnancy - the effect on allergy development in children
Anna Socha-Banasiak1, Barbara Kamer2, Krzysztof Pacześ1
1Gastroenterology, Allergology and Pediatric Department, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Lodz, Poland.
Insights
Maternal folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy was linked to increased allergy risk in children. Higher folate intake, especially above recommended levels, correlated with allergic conditions, particularly combined food and inhalant sensitivities.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pediatric Allergy
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Previous research indicated a potential link between maternal folate intake during pregnancy and offspring allergy development.
- This study investigates the specific influence of folic acid supplementation timing and dosage on allergy incidence in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between maternal folic acid supplementation (preconception and during pregnancy) and the development of various allergies in children.
- To analyze the impact of specific timing (preconception, trimesters) and dosage of folate supplementation on allergy outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study involving 307 child-mother pairs (2010-2014).
- Allergy diagnosis confirmed via medical history, physical exams, specific IgE/skin prick tests, and double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges.
- Maternal folate intake data collected via questionnaires regarding preconception and pregnancy periods.
Main Results:
- Mothers of allergic children reported higher folic acid use preconception and during all pregnancy trimesters compared to mothers of healthy children (p < 0.05).
- Increased maternal folate intake (> 0.4 mg/day) was more frequent in children with allergies, particularly those with combined food and inhalant sensitization (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Maternal folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy appears to influence allergy development in offspring.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of folate in fetal epigenetic modifications related to allergy.
Introduction:
The results of some previous studies suggested that maternal folate supplementation during pregnancy may contribute to allergy development in offspring.
Aim:
This study was performed to examine the influence of maternal folic acid intake prior to and during pregnancy on the development of various types of allergy in children taking into account the timing and dosage of supplemented folate.
Material And Methods:
The retrospective study was performed between 2010 and 2014 in 307 child-mother pairs (203 allergic children and 104 children without allergy symptoms, aged 2-72 months). Allergy diagnosis was based on medical history, physical examination, positive results of allergic tests: specific IgE and/or skin prick tests and double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge. The data concerning maternal folate supplementation prior to and during pregnancy were obtained based on a questionnaire.
Results:
Mothers of allergic children used to take folic acid more frequently in the preconception period (42.9%), in the 1st (94.1%) and the 2nd/3rd (81.3%) trimester of pregnancy than mothers of the healthy ones (30.8%, 82.7% and 55.8%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Maternal intake of folate in a dosage higher than recommended (> 0.4 mg/day) was more often observed in the group of allergic subjects, especially in children with combined sensitization to food and inhalant allergens, than in the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Our results suggest an impact of maternal folic acid supplementation prior to and during pregnancy on allergy development in children. Further observations are required to establish the role of folate in fetal epigenetic modifications.
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