Relationship between body-mass index and serum folate concentrations in pregnant women

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2012 Jan;66(1):136-8. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.160. Epub 2011 Sep 21.

Abstract

The concentration of micronutrients impacts fetal development and pregnancy outcome and has been suggested to be negatively correlated with the body-mass index (BMI). We evaluated the relationship between BMI and the serum folate concentration in 802 and 660 Korean pregnant women in mid- and late pregnancy, respectively, who participated in a multicenter prospective study. There was a significant negative correlation between BMI value and the serum folate concentration at mid- and late pregnancy (P for trend 0.001 and 0.024, respectively). A general linear model confirmed this correlation at both time points after adjusting for gestational age and total folate intake. These findings are important as the serum folate concentration is a rate-limiting factor for placental folate transport to the fetus, and an inadequate folate supply may cause various malformations.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Female
  • Fetal Development / physiology*
  • Folic Acid / blood*
  • Folic Acid Deficiency / blood
  • Folic Acid Deficiency / complications*
  • Humans
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / etiology*
  • Placenta
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / blood*
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Republic of Korea
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Folic Acid