Folate and vitamin B12 excess in pregnancy have been linked to autism. The research linking developmental disorder and autism to these excesses is being considered controversial.
The Telegraph cites the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) study to propose that a doubled risk of developmental disorder results from excessive intake of folate supplements. Excessive intake of vitamin B12, on the other hand, triples the risk of autism. Excess of both supplement types results in 17.6 times more risk for the unborn child.
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Expecting mothers are advised to ensure remaining within the prescribed dosage of both nutrients to assure good health for their children. Dr. Daniele Fallin, director of the JHU Bloomberg School's Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, said that the aim should be to protect the child during development in the mother's womb.
"We have long known that a folate deficiency in pregnant mothers is detrimental to her child's development," Dr. Daniele Fallin said. "We must aim for optimal levels of this important nutrient." The study has met protests from other scientists, who saw the study's claims as alarmist in nature. The study's link of folate and vitamin B12 intake with a developmental disorder is proposed to be taken carefully.
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The Atlantic reports that Johns Hopkins University's findings jump the gun. What the link to developmental disorder should not do is dissuade mothers doing away with folate and vitamin B12 intake altogether.
As it is, current intake rates of folate and vitamin B12 is still unable to eradicate neural tube defects among newborns. This comes from mothers still to some level being unable to take in sufficient folate and vitamin B12 during pregnancy.
Unless the Johns Hopkins University findings are handled with understanding and care, progress achieved in recent years may be undone. A birth defect would regress to increased numbers of cases.
