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The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is rising, but no effective preventive measures have yet been demonstrated. Periconceptional folic acid supplementation protects against neural tube defects and more recently has been associated with lower occurrence of other neurodevelopmental disorders (JW Womens Health Oct 27 2011). Investigators used data from a Norwegian nationwide cohort of >85,000 children born during a 10-year period to explore the association between periconceptional folate intake and ASD risk.
ASDs were diagnosed in 270 (0.32%) of the children. Questionnaire-based reports of maternal folic acid supplementation varied throughout pregnancy: 33% of women reported use before conception, 71% during gestational weeks 9 t…