Role of folic acid on fetal cardiac morphogenesis

Introduction: Folic acid (FA) deficiency in pregnancy may profoundly affect fetal cardiovascular morphogenesis.

Objectives: To evaluate the protective role of FA consumption during pregnancy on genesis of congenital heart disease (CHD).

Method: In this case-control study, 50 children having CHD (cases group) were compared with 99 healthy children (controls group) with regard to history of maternal consumption of supplemented FA during pregnancy. All data about consumption of supplemented FA with duration during antenatal period were obtained based on in-person interviews with both parents. Finally data were analysed and compared between groups.

Results:  The commonest CHD in this study was ventricular septal defect (VSD). There was no difference between supplemented FA consumption during pregnancy between the two groups. Study also shows that FA supplementation in pregnancy significantly decreases the incidence of VSD in the cases group.

Conclusions: The study reveals that supplemented FA consumption during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of CHD.

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2021; 50(2): 233-238