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Long-term somatic and mental development of children after periconceptional multivitamin supplementation
1Department of Human Genetics and Teratology, National Institute of Public Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for the Community Control of Hereditary Diseases, Budapest, Hungary.
Insights
Periconceptional folic acid multivitamin supplementation showed no significant differences in child development or health outcomes compared to trace elements. This study followed children up to six years of age, confirming long-term safety and efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Periconceptional folic acid supplementation is known to prevent neural-tube defects.
- The long-term developmental effects of such supplementation beyond early infancy require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the somatic and mental development of children up to six years of age.
- To evaluate the impact of periconceptional multivitamin (folic acid-containing) versus trace element supplementation on child development and health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up study of a Hungarian randomized double-blind trial.
- Involved blind examinations of somatic and mental development in 625 children at 2 and 6 years of age.
- Paediatric, ophthalmological, audiological, and psychometric assessments were conducted, along with evaluation of confounding factors.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in the rate and distribution of disorders between the multivitamin and trace element groups.
- Specific outcomes assessed included allergies (excluding otitis media), ophthalmological and audiological anomalies, and anthropometric and mental development.
Conclusions:
- Periconceptional folic acid-containing multivitamin supplementation does not lead to adverse effects on child development or health up to six years of age.
- The study supports the safety profile of folic acid supplementation in pregnancy for long-term child outcomes.
Unlabelled:
The preventive effect of periconceptional folic acid-containing multivitamin supplementation compared to placebo-like trace element tablets on the number of first-occurring neural-tube defects was well documented in the Hungarian randomized double-blind trial. The effect of this new primary prevention on the early (first 11 months) postnatal development has also been studied. This follow up was expanded to children at the 2nd and 6th years of age studied previously by a blind examination of their somatic and mental development. Confounding factors and case histories were evaluated and paediatric, ophthalmological, audiological and psychometric examinations were performed on 625 children.
Conclusion:
There were no differences in the rate and distribution of disorders including allergies (except otitis media), ophthalmological and audiological anomalies, anthropometric and mental development between children who belonged to the multivitamin or to the trace element group.