Taking folic acid supplements from four weeks before conception to eight weeks afterward may substantially reduce the risk of a rare but severe delay in language development in offspring at age 3, according to a study of women in Norway, where everyday foods are not routinely fortified with folic acid, published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

In the study by researchers at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo, more than 41,900 pregnant women completed a questionnaire of their dietary supplement use during pregnancy, and then three years later scored their childrens’ language development. Data on 19,956 boys and 18,998 girls born between 1999 and 2008 were included in the analysis.

After adjusting for maternal education, marital status and other factors, the investigators found that 0.9 percent of 11,532 toddlers whose moms took no folic acid supplements exhibited signs of severe language delay (speaking only one word or unintelligible utterances), compared with only 0.4 percent of 26,132 children born to mothers who took folic acid, often in combination with other supplements.

Bottom line: The findings are suggestive but do not prove cause and effect. Moreover, the investigators could not explain how folic acid supplementation during pregnancy might protect against language development problems after birth. Still, an extensive amount of research has shown that folic acid can help prevent major birth defects. For folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects, for example, a woman needs 400 micrograms every day at least one month before she becomes pregnant and while she is pregnant, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since 1998, the U.S. government has required that all enriched-grain products be fortified with folic acid. That means women can generally get enough folic acid by consuming a serving of fortified cereal each day. Other foods naturally rich in folic acid include beans, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and whole grains. Also, all women considering pregnancy should discuss the use of prenatal vitamins with their physician.

Source
Folic Acid Supplements in Pregnancy and Severe Language Delay in Children [Journal of the American Medical Association]