 News
5th May 2006
Folic acid boosts IVF twin births
Adding folic acid to flour could boost twin births according
to new research.
Researchers at Aberdeen University found that twin births
rose with higher folate intake, when more than one embryo was transferred.
But no link between folate levels and the likelihood of
a successful pregnancy was established.
UK food experts are considering making it mandatory to add
folic acid to bread as it can help cut the risk of birth defects.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) wants to include folic acid
in the nutrient mix already added to white flour although under draft
proposals it would not be added to wholemeal products or speciality breads.
In the UK, it is recommended that women take 400 micrograms a day up
to week 12 of pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such
as spina bifida.
The study by Dr Paul Haggarty and colleagues from the Rowett Research
Institute and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aberdeen University
involved 602 women undergoing IVF treatment.
A high level of folic acid in the blood was linked to an increased chance
of giving birth to twins but it did not increase the chance of a successful
pregnancy.
The study also suggested there was a connection between a key gene involved
in folate metabolism and a successful pregnancy.
Dr Haggarty said, "The high incidence of twin births associated with
treatment for infertility could be reduced, while maintaining live birth
rates, encouraging women not to exceed recommended doses of folic acid."
Professor William Ledger, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists, said, "If folic acid supplementation improves pregnancy
rates after IVF then this could be used to improve the outcome of single
embryo transfer.
"Sadly, even in 2006 the outcome of a twin pregnancy is not as good as
for a singleton.
"There should be careful attention paid to the public health message
that folic acid supplementation for women trying to conceive is a good
thing, since it substantially reduces the risk of spina bifida in the
child, but that you can get too much of a good thing."
The Food Standards Agency said any decision on adding folic to flour
will take account of advice from Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition,
as well other opinion.
"A watching brief will be kept for emerging evidence in this area," it
added.
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