Folic acid does not increase chance of having twins - Brief Article

AORN Journal, April, 2003

A study of nearly 250,000 Chinese women has found that taking folic acid to reduce risk of neural tube birth defects does not increase a woman's chance of giving birth to twins, according to a Jan 27, 2003, news release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many studies have shown that folic acid reduces the incidence of spina bifida and other neural tube defects; however, some researchers have questioned whether multiple births could be associated with folic acid consumption during pregnancy.

According to the release, the new study found no link between folic acid intake and multiple births. There was no difference in twin birth rates for women in the study who took 400 [micro]g of folic acid daily before conception and during early pregnancy compared to those who took no folic acid. This study focused on women who had participated in a previous study of neural tube birth defects and who took one 400 [micro]g folic acid pill per day.

Study Finds No Link Between Taking Folic Acid and Having Twins (news release, Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jan 27, 2003) http:/www.cdc.gov/od/oc /media/pressrel/r030127.htm (accessed 10 Feb 2003).