Prenatal folic acid and risk of asthma in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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#asthma #child #databases-factual #dermatitis-atopic #dietary-supplements

Prenatal folic acid and risk of asthma in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Crider et al., 2013 | Am J Clin Nutr | Meta Analysis

Citation

Crider Krista S, Cordero Amy M, ... Berry Robert J. Prenatal folic acid and risk of asthma in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013-Nov;98(5):1272-81. doi:10.3945/ajcn.113.065623

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Childhood asthma has become a critical public health problem because of its high morbidity and increasing prevalence. The impact of nutrition and other exposures during pregnancy on long-term health and development of children has been of increasing interest. OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association of folate and folic acid intake during pregnancy and risk of asthma and other allergic outcomes in children. DESIGN: We performed a systematic search of 8 electronic databases for articles that examined the association between prenatal folate or folic acid exposure and risk of asthma and other allergic outcomes (eg, allergy, eczema, and atopic dermatitis) in childhood. We performed a meta-analysis by using a random-effects model to derive a summary risk estimate of studies with similar exposure timing, exposure assessment, and outcomes. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis provided no evidence of an association between maternal folic acid supplement use (compared with no use) in the prepregnancy period through the first trimester and asthma in childhood (summary risk estimate: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.78, 1.30). Because of substantial heterogeneity in exposures and outcomes, it was not possible to generate summary measures for other folate indicators (eg, blood folate concentrations) and asthma or allergy-related outcomes; however, the preponderance of primary risk estimates was not elevated. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support an association between periconceptional folic acid supplementation and increased risk of asthma in children. However, because of the limited number and types of studies in the literature, additional research is needed.

Key Findings

Our meta-analysis provided no evidence of an association between maternal folic acid supplement use (compared with no use) in the prepregnancy period through the first trimester and asthma in childhood (summary risk estimate: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.78, 1.30). Because of substantial heterogeneity in exposures and outcomes, it was not possible to generate summary measures for other folate indicators (eg, blood folate concentrations) and asthma or allergy-related outcomes; however, the preponderance of pr

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Asthma
  • Child
  • Databases, Factual
  • Dermatitis, Atopic
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Eczema
  • Female
  • Folic Acid
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimesters
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Systematic Review
  • Vertical: folate

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09