"Women who took folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy were about 40% less likely to have a baby later diagnosed with autism, according to a provocative new study generating high interest in the scientific community."
"The dramatic increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders, which affect one in 88 children, has generated intense interest in learning the causes of autism, as well as better ways to treat and prevent the condition.
In the new study, which included more than 85,000 Norwegian children, doctors asked pregnant women to fill out a questionnaire about supplement use, both before and during their pregnancies. Researchers then followed the children, born between 2002 to 2008, for an average of six years. The study was published online Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association."
Liz Szabo reports for USA TODAY February 12, 2013.
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