OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to show that maternal folate status during pregnancy may be related to preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: Women were recruited at 24 to 29 weeks' gestation from 1995 to 2000 into the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study. Those who completed an interview and a food frequency questionnaire, or provided a blood sample for radioassay of serum (n = 2026) and red blood cell (n = 1034) folate were included. RESULTS: Mean daily dietary folate intake was 463 microg (SD +/- 248). Intake </=500 microg was associated with increased preterm delivery (RR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.6) controlling for total energy intake. Serum folate levels <16.3 ng/mL and red blood cell folate levels </=626.6 ng/mL yielded adjusted risk ratios of 1.8 (95% CI 1.3-2.5) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.6), respectively. Patterns were similar for spontaneous and overall preterm birth. CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that low folate levels during the second trimester of pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of preterm birth.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to show that maternal folate status during pregnancy may be related to preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN:Women were recruited at 24 to 29 weeks' gestation from 1995 to 2000 into the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study. Those who completed an interview and a food frequency questionnaire, or provided a blood sample for radioassay of serum (n = 2026) and red blood cell (n = 1034) folate were included. RESULTS: Mean daily dietary folate intake was 463 microg (SD +/- 248). Intake </=500 microg was associated with increased preterm delivery (RR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.6) controlling for total energy intake. Serum folate levels <16.3 ng/mL and red blood cell folate levels </=626.6 ng/mL yielded adjusted risk ratios of 1.8 (95% CI 1.3-2.5) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.6), respectively. Patterns were similar for spontaneous and overall preterm birth. CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that low folate levels during the second trimester of pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of preterm birth.
Authors: Anne L Dunlop; Michael R Kramer; Carol J R Hogue; Ramkumar Menon; Usha Ramakrishan Journal: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand Date: 2011-12 Impact factor: 3.636
Authors: Anna E Beaudin; Cheryll A Perry; Sally P Stabler; Robert H Allen; Patrick J Stover Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2012-02-29 Impact factor: 7.045