Folic acid, iron make infant smarter
Women with sufficient folic acid and iron intake as well those who receive enough micronutrient supplements during pregnancy may have smarter children with better motor skills.
Prenatal supplementation with iron and folic acid in areas where the community diet may be lacking in iron is associated with improved intellectual and motor functioning in the newborn, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"Iron is essential for the development of the central nervous system," said lead researcher Parul Christian, adding that kids born to mothers who received prenatal supplements did better in general intellectual ability, and some aspects of executive and motor function, including fine motor control.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world. In developing countries, every other pregnant woman and about 40 percent of preschool children are diagnosed with anemia.
Many children in poor communities would benefit from better prenatal programs that include the low-cost nutritional supplements, Christian noted.
"Considering the significant role of iron and folic acid in the development of both intellectual and motor skills, antenatal use per international guidelines should be expanded in many low and middle-income settings where program coverage continues to be poor," she added.
Source: presstv.ir
