Folic Acid: More Benefits for Babies?

Taking folic acid while pregnant may protect the baby in more ways than previously known. Two studies in the last month suggest this broader benefit, the Associated Press reported June 1. Folic acid taken in early pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of the spine and brain. Now researchers say it may help prevent other problems. One study looked at 35,000 pregnancies. Some women said they took folic acid pills for at least a year before they got pregnant. These women had only half the average risk of premature (early) birth. The other study was done in Canada. It included more than 1 million newborns. The study found that heart defects in babies have been less common since Canada started adding folic acid to some foods.