Increase in maternal RBC folate linked to reduction in risk for congenital heart disease in offspring<\/em><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n <\/b><\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n THURSDAY, Sept. 1, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Higher maternal red blood cell (RBC) folate is associated with a reduction in the risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) in offspring, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine<\/em>.\n<\/p>\n \n\tHongyan Chen, Ph.D., from the Children’s Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai, and colleagues quantified the association between periconception maternal RBC folate and offspring CHD risk in a prospective, nested, case-control study and one-sample Mendelian randomization. Data for a total of 197 mothers of offspring with CHD and 788 matched mothers of unaffected offspring were analyzed.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe researchers found that compared with controls, case patients had lower median maternal RBC folate concentrations (714 versus 788 nmol\/L). There was an inverse association seen for maternal RBC folate concentrations and offspring CHD (adjusted odds ratio, 0.93 per 100 noml\/L). The adjusted odds ratio was 0.61 for mothers with periconception RBC folate of \u00e2\u0089\u00a5906 nmol\/L versus <906 nmol\/L. Each 100 nmol increase in maternal RBC folate concentrations was significantly associated with reduced offspring CHD risk in Mendelian randomization (odds ratio, 0.75).\n<\/p>\n \n\t“We propose that target RBC folate levels higher than those currently recommended for neural tube defect prevention be considered for primary CHD prevention,” the authors write.\n<\/p>\n \n\tAbstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n