New research makes connections between folic acid during pregnancy and newborn weight.

Pregnant mothers are encouraged to add a folic acid supplement to their diet. Past research has demonstrated the benefits of folic acid in the development of a baby within the womb preventing defects such as spina bifida but now there is new research that teaches us the relationship between folic acid and a newborns weight.

Research was conducted by scientists at Keele and Nottingham Universities together with doctors at University Hospital of North Staffordshire and Derby Children's Hospital producing a epigenetic' study. This is the first study of it's kind to make the connection with the supplement of folic acid and the birth weight of newborns. The research suggests that methylation of particular genes has an impact on the birth weight of a newborn. Methylation is a term used in chemistry meaning the substitution of a methyl group, this happens during embryonic development. The research suggests that the methylation of certain DNA have the answers to the affects of folic acid. 

This research sheds light on answering why some newborns are born prematurely weighing very little. This research is the first step to helping scientists understand how to improve a newborns birth weight and help in predicting a newborns weight.

Folic acid supplements can be found in any pharmacy. There are over the counter supplements and prescribed supplements of folic acid. A pregnant woman of childbearing age should be taking 400 micrograms (mcg), or 0.4 milligrams (mg) of folic acid on a daily basis.