AAN

AAN 2025: How safe are higher folic acid doses in pregnancy?

April 10, 2025

Higher doses of folic acid during early pregnancy are not only safe but also beneficial for child development, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 77th Annual Meeting.

Study details: Researchers examined the effects of varying doses of folic acid taken during the first trimester of pregnancy on child development using data from 345 children, including 262 born to women with epilepsy and 83 to women without epilepsy. They recorded folic acid doses taken by mothers during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and divided children into five groups based on average dosage: no folic acid, ≤0.4 mg/day, >0.4 to 1.0 mg/day, >1.0 to 4.0 mg/day, and >4.0 mg/day. Children underwent multiple tests to assess verbal skills, while parents completed questionnaires evaluating behaviors such as communication, social skills, and daily living skills. Results from these tests were combined into an overall standardized behavioral score.

Results: For the general population, scores ranged from 70 to 130, with a mean of 100, with higher scores indicating better abilities. After adjusting for factors such as maternal IQ, epilepsy medications, and pregnancy complications, children of mothers who took folic acid had significantly higher average verbal scores (108 vs. 96) and behavioral scores (102 vs. 82) compared with those whose mothers didn’t take folic acid. The study found no adverse effects associated with higher doses of folic acid, with similar developmental outcomes across all dosage levels.

Sources:

(2025, March 4). American Academy of Neurology. Are higher doses of folic acid in pregnancy safe? [Press release]. https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5241

Meador, K et al. Folic acid in pregnancy and neuropsychological outcomes at age 6-years-old in the MONEAD study. Presented at American Academy of Neurology 77^th Annual Meeting. https://index.mirasmart.com/AAN2025/PDFfiles/AAN2025-002135.html