Relationship between Maternal Folate Receptor Autoantibodies and the Occurrence of Neural Tube Defects in Human Embryos

Abstract

Abstract:

Folate is essential to central nervous system development. Inadequate intakes of folate have been linked to higher risk of neural tube defects. Recent research has suggested that maternal Autoantibodies to folate receptors are also a risk factor for NTDs. Several studies have statistically compared maternal autoantibody concentration to the occurrence of NTDs. These studies found a significant correlation between maternal autoantibody concentration and NTDs. However, these studies did not use representative samples. The samples were either too small or country specific. To further study this hypothesis, a study should be conducted with a larger sample size and include women with diverse ethnic backgrounds.