Folic Acid May Ward Off Autism

Published: Feb 12, 2013

Taking folic acid supplements around the time of conception may lower the risk of autistic disorder in the offspring, an observational study showed.

Compared with women not using the supplements, those taking a folic acid supplement from 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after conception were less likely to have a child later diagnosed with autistic disorder (0.1% versus 0.21%; OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.90), according to Pål Surén, MD, MPH, of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo, and colleagues.

Similar associations were not observed for Asperger syndrome or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), the researchers reported in the Feb. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Full Story: http://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/autism/37326