High folic acid doses linked to pregnancy bleeding risk

New research from Flinders University suggests that high doses of folic acid supplements during early pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of vaginal bleeding. The study, which analyzed data from more than 2,400 first-time mothers in South Australia, found that women consuming 800 micrograms or more of folic acid per day were more likely to experience bleeding, particularly when carrying a male fetus.

Lead author Dr. Hongyan Wang emphasized that folic acid remains a critical nutrient for preventing neural tube defects and advised women to continue following medical recommendations. However, the findings raise questions regarding supplementation levels, especially in regions with mandatory food fortification, such as Australia’s mandatory folic acid fortification of bread-making flour introduced in 2009.

While vaginal bleeding affects approximately one in five pregnancies and can be associated with complications, researchers noted that these findings do not challenge the established benefits of folate in preventing birth defects, but rather suggest that higher doses may not always be beneficial.