Folate concentrations during pregnancy and autistic traits in the offspring. the Generation R Study
Steenweg-de Graaff, J.; Ghassabian, A.; Jaddoe, V.W.V.; Tiemeier, H.; Roza, S.J.
European Journal of Public Health 25(3): 431-433
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 1464-360X PMID: 25085472 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cku126
Accession: 053273499
In a population-based study, we examined the associations of maternal plasma folate concentrations at 13 weeks of gestation and prenatal folic acid supplement use with autistic traits in the offspring at the age of six years. Parent-reported autistic traits were assessed using the Social Responsiveness Scale short form. Maternal folate was not associated with autistic traits in the offspring. In contrast, prenatal folic acid use was associated with less child autistic traits. Future research should focus on the timing of the potential effect of prenatal folate on the development of autistic traits in combination with clinical diagnosis of autism in the offspring.