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Unmetabolized Folic Acid Response to Folic Acid Supplementation Dose During Pregnancy
Author(s) -
Fleming Jennifer,
Park Hea Jin,
Hausman Dorothy B,
Rosa Gisselle,
Andersen Victoria,
Kauwell Gail,
Caudill Marie,
Malysheva Olga,
Fisher Susan,
Bailey Lynn B
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.1172.13
Subject(s) - pregnancy , medicine , cord blood , folic acid , gestation , fetus , physiology , biology , genetics
The folate RDA for pregnant women is 600 μg/d Dietary Folate Equivalents, which is equivalent to approximately 400 μg folic acid (FA). Many prenatal supplements contain much higher doses of FA. The body's ability to reduce synthetic FA to the metabolically active form may be exceeded with high levels of FA supplementation. The objective of this double‐blind controlled intervention study was to determine the changes in circulating unmetabolized FA in both maternal and cord blood in response to supplementation during pregnancy with a higher dose of FA compared to a dose equivalent to the RDA. Pregnant women (<12wks gestation) were provided with prenatal supplements containing either 400 (n = 16, 28.3 ± 1.5 yrs) or 800 (n = 12, 26.6 ± 1.2 yrs) μg/d of FA from the first prenatal visit to delivery. The higher dose, 800 μg/d, represents the dose commonly found in over‐the‐counter prenatal vitamins. The prenatal supplements included recommended prenatal quantities of other vitamins, minerals and DHA. Dietary folate intake was not different between groups. Maternal blood samples (at baseline, 28wks, 36wks, and delivery) and cord blood samples (at delivery) were collected. FA was detectable in all maternal blood samples except for one sample. Mothers who took 800 μg/d FA maintained higher serum FA concentrations throughout pregnancy than those who took 400 μg/d FA (p< 0.05). FA was detectable in all cord blood samples, but was not different between the groups. FA was not related to serum folate, RBC folate, or 5‐MTHF at 28wk, 36wk or delivery in maternal blood or in cord blood. These results indicate that supplemental FA doses commonly contained in over‐the‐counter prenatal vitamins led to higher FA concentrations than an RDA equivalent dose in maternal blood, but not in cord blood. Support or Funding Information Support provided by Georgia Experimental Agricultural Station, HATCH #GEO00706 and #GEO00707, Obesity Initiative at the University of Georgia (UGA) and UGA Office of Vice President for Research.