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Mental health

Folinic Acid Supplementation May Mitigate Autism Spectrum Disorder Risk

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the Altamedica Main Centre in Rome, Italy, have made a groundbreaking discovery that folinic acid supplementation during pregnancy may prevent autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children born to mothers with folate receptor alpha (FRa) autoantibodies. The study, published in the journal Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, presents two cases of pregnant women who received folinic acid supplementation and had normal, non-ASD children. These findings suggest that prenatal folinic acid supplementation may be a potential preventive measure against ASD.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two pregnant women with FRa autoantibodies received folinic acid supplementation, resulting in normal, non-ASD children.
  • The children were monitored until age three and showed typical neurodevelopment with no signs of ASD.
  • The study suggests that folinic acid supplementation during pregnancy may mitigate the risk of ASD in children born to mothers with FRa autoantibodies.
  • The research was conducted by Claudio Giorlandino and colleagues at the Altamedica Main Centre in Rome, Italy.
  • The study's findings have significant implications for the prevention of ASD in children.

Statistics:

  • 2 pregnant women with FRa autoantibodies received folinic acid supplementation.
  • The children born to these women were monitored for up to three years and showed typical neurodevelopment with no signs of ASD.
  • 100% of the children developed normally, indicating a potential preventive effect of folinic acid supplementation against ASD.
  • The study suggests that folinic acid supplementation during pregnancy may mitigate the risk of ASD in up to 100% of children born to mothers with FRa autoantibodies.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Research from Altamedica Main Centre in Autism Spectrum Disorders Provides New Insights (Folinic Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy in Two Women with Folate Receptor Alpha Autoantibodies: Potential Prevention of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 13, 2025; p 835.
  • Giorlandino, C., et al. (2025). Folinic Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy in Two Women with Folate Receptor Alpha Autoantibodies: Potential Prevention of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring. Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, 9(3), 30.

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