British researchers have made a genetic breakthrough in the understanding of how folic acid protects the health of unborn babies.
Pregnant women are encourage to take folic acid, partly to protect babies against the condition spina bifida.
Experts say it also reduces the rate of low birth weight babies.
Researchers at Keele University, Staffordshire, UK, say they have now established how folic acid is able to trigger changes to DNA in the genes of unborn babies.
The change takes place through homocysteine, a chemical created from folic acid in the body.
Researcher Professor William Farrell said the work might help develop ways of predicting problems in pregnancy and also treatments to prevent problems.
He said: "It has been known for many years that folic acid supplementation is essential for women during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects and low birth weight delivery. However, we had little idea as to how this worked.
"This study is the first to suggest that methylation of particular genes in the baby’s DNA may be the key to unlocking the secret of the action of folic acid. “
He added: "Now we have identified which genes might be the link between folic acid and birth weight, we have opened the door to research that may allow doctors to predict the likelihood of low birth weight with greater certainty.
"Furthermore, it sheds light on the underlying causes of low birth weight and offers the potential to intervene earlier to prevent poor pregnancy outcomes such as premature delivery and pregnancy loss."
Epigenetics Volume 6, Issue 1 January 2011, pages 86 – 94
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