Can folate supplements be dangerous? - part 1

2010 ◽  
Vol 326 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Allergic Disease ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Folic Acid Supplements

In a nutshellConcerns have been raised over potential adverse effects of folic acid supplements, particularly in countries where food is fortified with folic acid. The concerns include masking B12deficiency, increased risk of multiple birth, allergic disease, and the appearance of unmetabolised folic acid in the blood.At this point in time we lack solid evidence that any of these is a significant practical clinical problem, although neither has it been ruled out that some individuals might be affected.

scholarly journals Folic Acid Supplements Modify the Adverse Effects of Maternal Smoking on Fetal Growth and Neonatal Complications

2011 ◽  
Vol 141 (12) ◽  
pp. 2172-2179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Bakker ◽  
Sarah Timmermans ◽  
Eric A. P. Steegers ◽  
Albert Hofman ◽  
Vincent W. V. Jaddoe
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Maternal Smoking ◽  
Neonatal Complications ◽  
Folic Acid Supplements

The Use of Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis

1985 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 349-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter W. Letendre ◽  
Douglas J. DeJong ◽  
Donald R. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Systemic Administration ◽  
Refractory Disease ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Folic Acid Antagonist ◽  
Acid Antagonist

The use of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis is reviewed. Methotrexate, a folic acid antagonist, is sometimes employed in an attempt to symptomatically control patients whose disease does not respond adequately to conventional therapies. Systemic administration of 7.5–15 mg/wk in a “pulse” fashion appears to be effective without precipitating severe adverse effects. However, concern over potentially serious side effects and a lack of well-controlled clinical trials have limited its use to severe, refractory disease. Further studies are needed before its role in rheumatoid arthritis can justifiably be expanded.

scholarly journals Health behaviours in 131,182 UK women planning pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth McDougall ◽  
Kimberley Kavanagh ◽  
Judith Stephenson ◽  
Lucilla Poston ◽  
Angela C. Flynn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Preconception Health ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Healthy Pregnancy ◽  
Folic Acid Supplements ◽  
Weekly Physical Activity ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Changes Over Time

Abstract Background A woman’s health at the time of conception lays the foundation for a healthy pregnancy and the lifelong health of her child. We investigated the health behaviours of UK women planning pregnancy. Methods We analysed survey data from the ‘Planning for Pregnancy’ online tool (Tommy’s, UK). We described all women planning pregnancy and compared the frequency of non-adherence to preconception recommendations in women who had already stopped contraception (active planners) and those who had not (non-active planners). Results One hundred thirty-one thousand one hundred eighty-two women from across the UK were included, of whom 64.8% were actively planning pregnancy. Of the whole cohort, twenty percent were smokers and less than one third took folic acid supplements (31.5%). Forty two percent engaged in less than the recommended 150 min of weekly physical activity and only 53.3% consumed five portions of fruit or vegetables 4 days a week. Smokers were 1.87 times more likely to be active planners than non-smokers (95% CI 1.79–1.94), and women who took folic acid were 7 times more likely to be active planners (95% CI 6.97–7.59) compared to women who did not. Smoking, drug use and lack of folic acid supplementation were common in younger women and those who were underweight. Conclusions This unique survey of UK women has identified poor adherence to preconception recommendations in those planning pregnancies and supports the need for a greater public health focus on preconception health. This study provides a contemporary basis from which to inform preconception health advice and a benchmark to measure changes over time.

Is overweight/obesity a risk factor for atopic allergic disease in prepubertal children? A case–control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysel Vehapoglu ◽  
Zeynep Ebru Cakın ◽  
Feyza Ustabas Kahraman ◽  
Mustafa Atilla Nursoy ◽  
Ali Toprak
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Allergic Disease ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Prepubertal Children ◽  
Body Weight Status ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives It is unclear whether body weight status (underweight/normal weight/overweight/obese) is associated with allergic disease. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between body weight status (body mass index; BMI) and atopic allergic disease in prepubertal children, and to compare children with atopic allergic diseases with non atopic healthy children. Methods A prospective cross sectional study of 707 prepubertal children aged 3–10 years was performed; the participants were 278 atopic children with physician-diagnosed allergic disease (allergic rhinitis and asthma) (serum total IgE level >100 kU/l and eosinophilia >4%, or positivity to at least one allergen in skin test) and 429 non atopic healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Data were collected between December 2019 and November 2020 at the Pediatric General and Pediatric Allergy Outpatient Clinics of Bezmialem Vakıf University Hospital. Results Underweight was observed in 11.6% of all participants (10.8% of atopic children, 12.2% of healthy controls), and obesity in 14.9% of all participants (18.0% of atopic children, 12.8% of controls). Obese (OR 1.71; 95% CI: 1.08–2.71, p=0.021), and overweight status (OR 1.62; 95% CI: 1.06–2.50, p=0.026) were associated with an increased risk of atopic allergic disease compared to normal weight in pre-pubertal children. This association did not differ by gender. There was no relationship between underweight status and atopic allergic disease (OR 1.03; 95% CI: 0.63–1.68, p=0.894). Conclusions Overweight and obesity were associated with an increased risk of atopic allergic disease compared to normal weight among middle-income and high-income pre pubertal children living in Istanbul.

scholarly journals Utilization of preconception care and its impacts on health behavior changes among expectant couples in Shanghai, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Du ◽  
Xuena La ◽  
Liping Zhu ◽  
Hong Jiang ◽  
Biao Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Preconception Care ◽  
Behavior Changes ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Folic Acid Supplements ◽  
Health Behavior Changes ◽  
And Child Health

Abstract Background Preconception care is an opportunity for detecting potential health risks in future parents and providing health behavior education to reduce morbidity and mortality for women and their offspring. Preconception care has been established in maternal and child health hospitals in Shanghai, China, which consists of health checkups, health education and counseling. This study investigated factors associated with the utilization of preconception care, and the role of preconception care on health behavior changes before conception among pregnant women and their partners. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women at three maternal and child health hospitals in Shanghai. The participants were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire on the utilization of preconception care and health behavioral changes before conception. Results Of the 948 recruited pregnant women, less than half (42.2%) reported that they had utilized preconception care before the current pregnancy. Unplanned pregnancy, unawareness of preconception care and already having a general physical examination were the main reasons for not attending preconception care. The two main sources of information about preconception care were local community workers and health professionals. Younger women and the multipara were less likely to utilize preconception care. Women who utilized preconception care were more likely to take folic acid supplements before conception [Adjusted Odds Ration (aOR) 3.27, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.45–4.36, P < 0.0001]. The partners of pregnant women who had attended preconception care services were more likely to stop smoking [aOR 2.76, 95%CI 1.48–5.17, P = 0.002] and to stop drinking [aOR 2.13, 95%CI 1.03–4.39, P = 0.041] before conception. Conclusions Utilization of preconception care was demonstrated to be positively associated with preconception health behavior changes such as women taking folic acid supplements before pregnancy, their male partner stopping smoking and drinking before conception. Future studies are needed to explore barriers to utilizing preconception care services and understand the quality of the services. Strategies of promoting preconception care to expectant couples, especially to young and multipara women, should be developed to further improve the utilization of the services at the community level.

scholarly journals Are Probiotics and Prebiotics Safe for Use during Pregnancy and Lactation? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2382
Author(s):  
Hauna Sheyholislami ◽  
Kristin L. Connor
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
English Language ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy ◽  
Synbiotic Supplementation

Probiotic and prebiotic products have shown potential health benefits, including for the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The incidence of adverse effects in pregnant people and their infants associated with probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic intake, however, remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the evidence on adverse effects of maternal probiotic, prebiotic, and/or synbiotic supplementation during pregnancy and lactation and interpret the findings to help inform clinical decision-making and care of this population. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Scientific databases were searched using pre-determined terms, and risk of bias assessments were conducted to determine study quality. Inclusion criteria were English language studies, human studies, access to full-text, and probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic supplementation to the mother and not the infant. In total, 11/100 eligible studies reported adverse effects and were eligible for inclusion in quantitative analysis, and data were visualised in a GOfER diagram. Probiotic and prebiotic products are safe for use during pregnancy and lactation. One study reported increased risk of vaginal discharge and changes in stool consistency (relative risk [95% CI]: 3.67 [1.04, 13.0]) when administering Lactobacillus rhamnosus and L. reuteri. Adverse effects associated with probiotic and prebiotic use do not pose any serious health concerns to mother or infant. Our findings and knowledge translation visualisations provide healthcare professionals and consumers with information to make evidence-informed decisions about the use of pre- and probiotics.

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