Is taking folate associated with lower risk of diabetes in pregnancy? A prospective cohort study among 14,622 women

Authors

• M Li
• S Li
• JE Chavarro
• AJ Gaskins
• SH Ley
• SN Hinkle
• X Wang
• M Ding
• G Bell
• AA Bjerregaard
• S Olsen
• JL Mills
• FB Hu
• C Zhang

Abstract

Background: Emerging laboratory evidence suggests that inadequate folate intake may play a role in metabolic disturbances. However, few studies have examined whether folate intake before pregnancy was associated with gestational diabetes (GDM) risk. In the present study, we addressed this data gap. Methods: The study included 14,622 women in the Nurses’ Health Study II who reported at least one pregnancy between 1992 and 2001 (totaling 20,306 pregnancies). Intakes of folate and other nutrients were assessed every 4 years, starting in 1991, by a food-frequency questionnaire. Incident GDM was ascertained from self-reports of a physician diagnosis. Relative risks (RRs) of GDM by quartiles of folate intake were estimated using log-binomial models. Results: During the study period, 829 incident GDM cases were identified. After adjusting for major risk factors, adequate total folate intake (≥400 μg/day) was associated with 17% lower risk of GDM (p = 0.008) compared to inadequate intake (

Scientific Focus Area: Epidemiology

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