| Down syndrome |
Women carrying a genetic defect that makes it
hard for them to metabolize Folic acid are at a higher
risk for giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome.
That’s the
finding in a study by researchers at the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration that is published in the Sept. 28
issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Researchers found the
gene MTHFR plays a role in how chromosomes separate
during ovulation and how the body processes folic acid.
Normally, an egg and a sperm each carry 23 chromosomes,
but if either carries an extra chromosome, that leads to
Down syndrome. If the egg carries the extra chromosome,
that problem usually occurs during ovulation.
Health experts
recommend all women of childbearing age get at least 400
micrograms of folic acid daily because it helps prevent a
variety of birth defects. However, women do not reap the
benefits of folic acid after conception, so they should
begin taking supplements before becoming pregnant. Folic
acid is found in leafy green vegetables, beans, tuna and
eggs. Last year, the government ordered that pasta,
cereal and flour to be fortified with folic acid.
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