Excessive amounts of folate in pregnant women can increase the risk of autism in their children. This is the conclusion reached by experts from the School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University.
In a study of analyzes of 1,400 young mothers, researchers found a relationship between increased levels of folate in their blood and the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the fetus. Thus, the risk of the disease doubled at an acid concentration of more than 59 nmol / L and leveled off at normal values.
In addition, the likelihood of having a baby with ASD was threefold higher with abnormal vitamin B12 levels above 600 pmol / L compared with mothers showing lower levels of vitamin B12.
At the same time, the risk of the disease increased 17 times if the concentration of both substances was excessive.
Thus, not only a deficiency, but also an excess of certain substances can have a negative effect on the health of the embryo, said Ramkripa Ragavan, PhD candidate in medicine. According to him, a complete rejection of the main sources of folic acid (green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, juices, legumes, cereals, flour products) is hardly desirable for pregnant women. However, the identification of the most dangerous names and clarification of the optimal level of consumed substances is necessary, and this is a matter for future examinations.
The findings will be presented at the 2016 International Autism Research Conference in Baltimore on May 13.