A narrative review investigating the benefits and risks of high-dose folic acid for women with pre-existing diabetes in periconception concludes doses of 4mg folate a day or 5mg every second day are warranted, taking individualised needs into consideration.
Policymakers need to review the current methods of ensuring folate sufficiency among women of childbearing age, said a group of Australian researchers who found that food and supplements could not provide optimal folate intake.
Researchers are recommending a multi-micronutrient supplementation beyond iron and folate for women of reproductive age, pregnant and lactating, according to an Asian study funded by Bayer South East Asia.
Researchers in Singapore say insufficient vitamin B12 coupled with higher folate may lead to higher gestational diabetes risk, holding "potential implications for antenatal supplement recommendations".