Paul Haggarty, Aberdeen University
REFERENCE: Lancet 2006;367:1513
Folic acid may increase the chance of a twin birth for women undergoing in-vitro fertilisation, according to a recent study published in the Lancet. This finding could present IVF practitioners with something of a dilemma, because on the one hand, twin births are associated with a higher risk of complications for mother and babies; but on the other, folate is an important supplement for women trying to conceive, because it reduces the incidence of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Paul Haggarty from Aberdeen University told Derek Thorne more about the investigation.
REFERENCE: Lancet 2006;367:1513
Folic acid may increase the chance of a twin birth for women undergoing in-vitro fertilisation, according to a recent study published in the Lancet. This finding could present IVF practitioners with something of a dilemma, because on the one hand, twin births are associated with a higher risk of complications for mother and babies; but on the other, folate is an important supplement for women trying to conceive, because it reduces the incidence of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Paul Haggarty from Aberdeen University told Derek Thorne more about the investigation.
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