Taking folic acid while planning a pregnancy may significantly reduce the risk of children experiencing difficulties in relationships with peers, according to a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition. The relative risk of such problems drops by 34 percent, reports infohub.kz.
Australian researchers from the University of Newcastle analyzed data from 646 children born to 563 mothers who participated in a large prospective study on women's health. To assess the emotional and behavioral characteristics of children aged 2 to 8, mothers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which covers five key areas of mental development.
The results showed that women who took folic acid before conception had children with a 34% lower risk of peer relationship problems compared to those who did not use the supplement. The protective effect was most pronounced in boys and in children aged 2 to 3 years. However, the researchers found no statistically significant link between pre-pregnancy vitamin intake and issues such as hyperactivity, emotional disorders, or conduct problems.
The authors emphasize that folic acid plays a key role in DNA methylation and reducing oxidative stress during fetal nervous system development. They also note that vitamin use was often accompanied by other lifestyle changes, including abstaining from alcohol and increasing vegetable consumption. Since the study relied on self-reports, the scientists call for larger clinical trials to confirm the observed mechanisms.