Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between periconception maternal folate status and embryonic size. DesignProspective periconception cohort study. SettingErasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. PopulationSeventy-seven singleton pregnancies recruited in 2009 and 2010. MethodsWe recruited women before 8weeks of gestation and performed weekly three-dimensional ultrasound scans from enrolment up to 13weeks of gestation. As a measure of embryonic growth, crown-rump length (CRL) measurements were performed using V-Scope software in the BARCO I-Space. Maternal blood was collected to determine first-trimester long-term red blood cell (RBC) folate status. Non-malformed live births were included in the analysis. We calculated quartiles of RBC folate, square root-transformed CRL data and performed multivariable linear mixed model analyses. Main outcome measuresSerial first-trimester CRL measurements. ResultsIn total, 484 ultrasound scans were performed in 77 women, in 440 (90.7%) of which CRLs could be measured. RBC folate in the third quartile (1513-1812nmol/l) was significantly associated with an increased CRL compared with the first two quartiles (814-1512nmol/l) and the upper quartile (1813-2936nmol/l; P-overall=0.03; adjusted for gestational age, smoking, body mass index and fetal sex). Compared with the third quartile, embryos in the upper quartile were 24.2% smaller at 6(+0)weeks [4.1mm (95% confidence interval 3.5, 4.7) versus 5.4mm (95% confidence interval 4.8, 6.1)] and 7.6% smaller at 12(+0)weeks [55.1mm (95% confidence interval 52.9, 57.3) versus 59.6mm (95% confidence interval 57.4, 62.0)] of gestation. ConclusionsThis study suggests that a very high maternal periconception folate status is associated with reduced embryonic size. Whether these effects are beneficial or harmful requires further investigation.
Original language | Undefined/Unknown |
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Pages (from-to) | 821-829 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Bjog-An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
Volume | 121 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Research programs
- EMC MGC-02-02-01
- EMC MGC-02-52-01-A
- EMC MM-01-52-07
- EMC NIHES-01-66-01