title: Elevated maternal serum folate in the third trimester and reduced fetal growth: a longitudinal study.
abstract: This study aimed to examine the association of fetal growth and elevated third trimester maternal serum folate due to folic acid (FA) supplement intake. Dietary intake, use of FA supplements, weight, and blood biomarkers of B-vitamins (serum folate, pyridoxal, vitamin B(12), and plasma total homocysteine) were observed in 33 healthy pregnant women at the third trimester (average gestational age 35 wk). Birth outcomes were assessed through hospital birth records. Infant anthropometry and maternal blood biomarkers were followed up at 1 mo postpartum. Fourteen women were taking FA supplements at the third trimester. Dietary intake was similar among FA users and non-users, but serum folate and pyridoxal were significantly higher in users (11.6±6.7 vs. 6.1±3.2 ng/mL, and 13.8±21.7 vs. 3.2±1.4 ng/mL, respectively). Plasma total homocystein (tHcy) was higher in non-users compared to users, but not significantly. Nine FA users and eight non-users had low serum vitamin B(12) values (<203 pg/mL). Nine FA users and all non-users had low serum pyridoxal values (<7.0 ng/mL). Infant birthweight was significantly lower in users compared to non-users (2,894±318 vs. 3,154±230 g). At 1 mo postpartum, infant weight and length were similar between FA users and non-users, but infant weight gain was larger in users. Higher serum folate values due to FA use in the third trimester was related to reduced fetal size. Excess FA under low vitamin B(6) and B(12) status may affect fetal growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, National Institute of Public Health, 2-3-6 Minami, Wako, Saitama, Japan. thidemi@niph.go.jp
authors.forename: Hidemi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takimoto
authors.forename: Fumi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kusama
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshiike
authors.forename: Mikayo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toba
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishibashi
authors.forename: Naoyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyasaka
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubota
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000097:blood; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D039401:Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011730:Pyridoxal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D011730:Pyridoxal; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12