High folic acid in pregnancy linked to early bleeding risk
Women taking high-dose folic acid supplements during early pregnancy may face an increased risk of vaginal bleeding, according to new research from Flinders University and collaborating institutions that raises important questions about supplementation levels in countries with mandatory folic acid food fortification.
New research from Flinders University and international partners indicates that taking high doses of folic acid during early pregnancy may raise the risk of vaginal bleeding, particularly in pregnancies with male fetuses. The study, which examined data from over 2,400 first-time mothers in South Australia, found that women consuming 800 micrograms or more of folic acid daily had a higher likelihood of experiencing spotting or mild bleeding in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
This risk was significantly higher when carrying a boy, being more than double for women not taking supplements. While the findings do not negate the well-known benefits of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects, they suggest that higher doses may not always be necessary and that the effects of folic acid supplementation may vary based on fetal sex.
The study's senior author, Professor Claire Roberts, emphasizes the need for further research to determine the safest and most effective upper limit of folic acid intake during pregnancy and highlights the importance of understanding the biological mechanisms behind these associations.
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