Does Lack of Folic Acid Increase Cerebral Palsy Risk?
Folic acid, also called folate or vitamin B-9, plays a key role in how a baby’s brain and spine develop during pregnancy. Doctors often recommend that women take folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy to prevent serious birth defects. But does not getting enough folic acid raise the risk of cerebral palsy in babies? Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone, often caused by brain damage before or during birth.
Research shows a clear link between folic acid and certain brain-related problems in babies, but the connection to cerebral palsy is not as direct. For example, studies confirm that low folic acid levels increase the chance of neural tube defects like spina bifida, where the spine does not close properly. These defects can harm the brain and nerves. Visit the NICHD site for details on how folic acid prevents most neural tube defects when taken early[1].
Poor nutrition in pregnancy, including folic acid shortages, is common. In the US, 60 to 81 percent of women of reproductive age lack enough folic acid, depending on race. This can lead to preterm birth, where babies are born too early. Preterm babies face higher risks of cerebral palsy because their brains are still developing. Check out this nutrition resource on how one in nine Tennessee babies are preterm, raising cerebral palsy odds[4].
Low folate has also been tied to abnormal fetal brain growth, which might contribute to issues like ADHD or autism traits. A review of studies with over 29,000 people found that moms taking folic acid cut ADHD risk in kids by 14 percent. See the ADHD Evidence Project for more on folate’s role in brain development[2].
Other factors cause cerebral palsy too, like preterm labor or infections. Giving magnesium sulfate to high-risk moms prevents cerebral palsy in preterm babies, as shown in NICHD trials[1]. Folate blockers like aminopterin, listed in developmental toxicant tables, cause central nervous system defects similar to those in cerebral palsy[3]. Health sites advise 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to lower birth defect risks, including some brain issues[5].
While folic acid deficiency harms brain development and boosts preterm birth risks, which in turn link to cerebral palsy, no study directly proves it causes cerebral palsy on its own. Getting enough folic acid is still a smart, simple step for healthy pregnancies.
Sources
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/accomplishments/contributions
https://www.adhdevidence.org/blog-tags/pregnancy
https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/9871/chapter/4
https://www.motherbabynutrition.org/information
https://www.dignityhealth.org/socal/services/baby-and-family/fetal-conditions
