By Henry J. Fishman, M.D.
ConsumerAffairs.com
September 14, 2006
A 400-milligram dose of folic acid, a supplement taken to prevent birth defects, does not lead to miscarriages. That's the conclusion of an article published in the journal Lancet.
Millions of women take folic acid to help prevent birth defects, like problems with the neural tube or spinal canal.
A couple of studies have raised the possibility that folic acid has a downside and may cause miscarriages.
Not so, according to a study conducted by the CDC of 22,000 women in China. The women were all pregnant for the first time. Half took a 400-milligram dose of folic acid per day and half did not.
The miscarriage rate was the same in both groups -- around 9 percent.
In other words, folic acid did not increase the rate of miscarriage.
Now, this study only included Chinese women and only involved one dose of folic acid per day. So, pregnant women should discuss the benefits and risks of folic acid with their doctors but, in general, miscarriages are not one of the risks.
