Folic acid supps cut premature birth rate

According to a new survey, women who take folic acid supplements halve the risk of premature birth. The AFP reports that the study, which was conducted by a team at the University of Texas in the USA, showed that rates of preterm birth fell by between 50% and 70%, in those who had used folic acid supplementation for one year prior to pregnancy. Alan Fleischmann of the March of Dimes said that the research supported guidance that women of child-bearing age should take 400mg of the supplement a day.