Too Much Folic Acid During Pregnancy May Increase Risk of Autism

A new study suggests that too much folic acid and vitamin B-12 during pregnancy could increase the risk of autism.

For years now, pregnant women have been advised to take folic acid because researchers determined that too little can cause disabling or even fatal birth defects, such as spina bifida.

But a new study out of Johns Hopkins suggests an excessive amount of folic acid can also cause problems.

Researchers followed 1,391 children born at Boston University Medical Center between 1998 and 2013. About 100 of them were later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a wide range of developmental disorders.

The research shows too much folic acid and high levels of vitamins in the mother's blood when she's giving birth may increase a child's risk of autism by almost 20 percent.

The study is not conclusive and more research is needed to confirm the preliminary results.