Babies born with IUGR -- intrauterine growth restriction or retardation -- have more complications both at birth and later in life. IUGR has numerous causes, most related to less than optimal delivery of nutrients to the fetus; a fetus whose birth weight and size are in the bottom 10th percentile for his gestational age has IUGR. Folic acid, a mineral found in many vegetables, is not used as a preventative for IUGR but does appear to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
IUGR Causes
Many factors contribute to IUGR, including poor nutrition, underweight, abnormalities with the placenta or umbilical cord that interfere with nutrient transmission to the fetus, maternal smoking or drug use and high blood pressure. Multiple pregnancy, low amniotic fluid, heart disease, kidney disease, maternal diabetes, certain chromosomal abnormalities and birth defects can also cause IUGR. Not all small babies have IUGR; some are genetically small. Intrauterine growth retardation takes two forms: primary IUGR, in which the fetus is symmetrically small, with smaller-than-normal organs, and secondary IUGR, in which the head and brain attain normal size but the abdomen is smaller than normal.
Folic Acid Supplementation
Although folic acid isn't proven to reduce the risk of IUGR, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all women of childbearing age take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, since folic acid supplementation reduces the risk of neural tube defects by 50 percent to 70 percent. Pregnant women not previously taking folic acid should start as soon as they know they're pregnant. Foods high in folic acid include leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans and fortified cereals and grains.
Studies
Studies have not established a definite benefit in preventing IUGR with folic acid, a joint report published by British and Indian researchers in the May 2003 "Journal of Nutrition" reported. One Chinese animal study published in the August 2011 issue of "Molecular Biology Reviews" that examined the effects of folic acid during pregnancy and after in pigs found possible benefit in preventing complications from IUGR later in life. The study showed no reduction in numbers of piglets with IUGR in the folic acid supplementation group, but did show modifications in gene expressions which could cause health complications later in life. Babies with IUGR have a higher risk of health problems such as diabetes, insulin resistance, heart disease and obesity.
Considerations
At this time, no single vitamin or mineral during pregnancy has been proven to reduce the risk of IUGR. Poor nutrition in general can lead to IUGR, with folic acid possibly playing a role in tandem with other micronutrients, a Swiss review of 12 studies using various nutritional supplements to prevent IUGR noted. Talk to your doctor about nutrition during pregnancy and other possible interventions, such as quitting smoking, to reduce the risk of IUGR.
References
- PubMed Health: Intrauterine Growth Retardation
- The Journal of Nutrition: Micronutrients and Fetal Growth
- American Pregnancy Association: Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR); Small for Gestational Age (SGA)
- Molecular Biology Reports: Effect of Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation on Hepatic One-Carbon Unit Associated Gene Expressions in Newborn Piglets
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Nutritional Interventions to Prevent Intrauterine Growth Retardation: Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Reduce Birth Defects with Folic Acid
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