Maternal red blood cell folate metabolites were dynamically associated with neonatal amino acids and acylcarnitines in heel blood: a prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Animal studies indicate maternal folic acid intake alters offspring amino acids (AAs) and fatty acid profiles, affecting their long-term health. However, human data on specific folate metabolites remain limited. We explored their dynamic associations with neonatal AAs and acylcarnitines (ACs).

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study, involving 4130 singleton pregnant women and their neonates. Maternal total folate and related metabolites in red blood cell (RBC), including 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (5-CHO-THF), and unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA), were measured in 6-17 (T1), 20-26 (T2), and 32-36 (T3) gestational weeks. Neonatal metabolites, including 11 AAs and 31 ACs, were routinely tested 72 h pos

SUBMITTER: Yang R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12809961 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature