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Groundbreaking work to improve babies health
Supplementation with folic acid during pregnancy is known to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (such as spina bifida) and also protects against low birth weight. It has been suggested that folic acid might secure these clinical effects via DNA methylation.
A ground breaking study undertaken by the Fetal Epigenomics Group identified, for the first time, a link between changes in the DNA for newborn babies, folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and birth weight. The study examined the relationship between folic acid supplementation and its metabolites on DNA methylation in human blood from the umbilical cord, using a state of the art ‘microarray’ technique that simultaneously examines methylation at 27,578 sites in the DNA.
The findings showed that levels of a critical metabolite of folic acid, homocysteine, in the blood of newborn babies is linked to modifications of their DNA in key genes and that such modifications might be used to predict birth weight.
The identification of which genes might be the link between folic acid and birth weight has provided an opportunity for further research that may allow doctors to predict the likelihood of low birth weight with greater certainty. With this knowledge GPs can provide mothers with dietary advice to lead to a healthier birth weight.
In addition, it sheds light on the underlying causes of low birth weight and offers the potential for early intervention to prevent poor pregnancy outcomes such as premature delivery and miscarriage.
For more information please access fetal epigenetics group
