Researchers have found that both excessive and reduced folate levels during pregnancy increase the risk of congenital heart defects, the most common birth defect affecting 2.3% of births. Folate, also known as vitamin B-9, is essential for healthy cell growth and fetal development. The study showed a U-shaped association between maternal folate levels and heart defect risk, with both low and high levels linked to increased risk. Children born to mothers with low folate had over three times the risk of a heart defect, while those with both vitamin B12 deficiency and low folate had a sevenfold higher risk. Homocysteine levels also played a role.
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Excess Or Too Little Folate During Pregnancy May Raise the Risk of Congenital Heart Defects
