Prenatal Folate and Homocysteine Affect Children’s IQs

Prenatal Folate and Homocysteine Affect Children’s IQs

Share This Post

Folate is important for the overall methylation and synthesis of DNA, which is critical to your baby’s development. But it’s particularly essential for the growth and replication of neural cells. We see this in cases of neural tube defects, and pregnant women know to increase folate consumption to prevent them. However, folate deficiency during pregnancy can adversely affect brain development as well; low folate is known for its association with smaller head circumference at birth and reduced brain volume among infants.

10 day FREE email course

What we haven’t known is how significant the effect is on a child’s functioning down the road. Do these children have limited intelligence and psychological problems, as some studies have hinted? A recent paper in the British Journal of Nutrition followed up on these reports to evaluate the long-term effects of folate deficiency during pregnancy on school-aged children from 6-8 years old.

The authors evaluated 62 children whose mothers had plasma folate deficiencies in early pregnancy. They used MRI scans to gauge brain volume, and assessed cognitive development through intelligence tests. They evaluated performance in several areas, including executive functioning, language, memory and learning, sensorimotor functioning, and visio-spatial processing.

Parents also filled out a child behavior checklist that assessed emotional and behavioral problems, such as:

  • emotionally reactive behavior
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • withdrawal
  • attention problems
  • aggressive behavior

Prenatal Folate and Homocysteine Affect Children’s IQs:

The study found that children in the low folate group had smaller brain volumes than the normal-folate children, and that all regions of the brain were affected. These children also performed more poorly on cognitive tests related to language and visio-spatial processing.

Similarly, children subjected to high prenatal homocysteine levels had smaller brain volumes and significantly lower IQs at six years old (by an average of seven points). They also scored lower on language and visio-spatial processing tests. The one positive finding is that there was no association with psychological problems. Still, smaller brain size can limit intelligence and have long-lasting effects that inhibit functioning throughout life.

Fortunately, there’s more information available than ever to help you prepare for a healthy pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, you may be interested in my free email course, 10 Days to a Healthy Pregnancy with MTHFR.

Yours in health,

Carolyn

[tcb-script async=”” id=”_simplero_landing_page_js_211735″ src=”https://mthfrsupportaustralia.simplero.com/page/211735.js”][/tcb-script]

Related Posts

How Prebiotics Can Support Gut Health, Metabolic Syndrome and Fertility
MTHFR

How Prebiotics Can Support Gut Health, Metabolic Syndrome and Fertility

In natural medicine, it’s a widely accepted notion that having a healthy gut leads to better health overall. There is growing evidence of the crucial ...
Read More →
Matcha Chia Pudding
MTHFR

Matcha Chia Pudding by Teresa Cutter

Ingredients: Serves 1 3 tablespoons (40 g / 1/2 oz) white chia seeds 1 teaspoon Healthy Chef Matcha 1 tablespoon Healthy Chef Protein 250 ml ...
Read More →
MTHFR and Hormones
MTHFR

MTHFR and Hormones

MTHFR and Hormones Many women with MTHFR experience excessive mood swings and may experience other symptoms related to fluctuations in hormone levels. Methylation issues can ...
Read More →
Magnesium and Methylation
MTHFR

Magnesium and Methylation – From Heart to Brain Health: What is the best form for you?

Magnesium is one of the most important nutrients in health; it is required for over 300 reactions that take place in the body, playing a ...
Read More →
Foods High in Oxalates: How Much is TOO MUCH?
MTHFR

Foods High in Oxalates: How Much is TOO MUCH?

What are oxalates? Oxalate is produced as an end-product of metabolism of vitamin C, as well as of fructose and the amino acids serine and ...
Read More →
Broccoli Detox Soup from The Awesome Green
MTHFR

Broccoli Detox Soup from The Awesome Green

Ingredients: Serves 2 2 cups broccoli florets 2 celery stalks, finely diced 1 onion, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 cup greens (kale, spinach, ...
Read More →
Scroll to Top
Carolyn Ledowsky

Stay Connected!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter with current MTHFR research, health tips, recipes, special offers and news about upcoming events including Carolyn’s live Q&A.

Subscribe