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Folic acid cuts prematurity (The Guardian newspaper - UK)

Taking folic acid for a year before pregnancy can cut the risk of premature delivery by 70% and save thousands of lives, researchers say. The research, from Texas, looked at nearly 40,000 women and found taking folic acid supplements could cut the risk of premature delivery by 70% for very early births - before 28 weeks - and by 50% in births between 28 and 32 weeks. Professor Gordon Smith of Cambridge University said the study showed that folic acid had general positive effects in pregnancy, and that bolstered the case for fortifying flour and bread with it. "A lot of pregnancies aren't planned, so most women don't take supplements because they won't be thinking about pregnancy," he said. But obstetrician Tim Draycott said caution was in order - it could be that folic acid was a marker for mothers-to-be who were in higher socio-economic groups, and were more likely to attend antenatal checks. (31.01.08)

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