Date of Award
Spring 5-12-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Department
Health and Nutrition Sciences
Language
English
First Advisor
Xinyin Jiang
Abstract
Background: Most prenatal multivitamins (MVs) contain synthetic folic acid (FA), which requires reduction to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) for use in cellular methylation reactions. Unmetabolized FA (UMFA) accumulation in tissue is a rising concern. Objectives: This study examined whether using 6S-5-MTHF instead of FA in a prenatal MV prevented UMFA accumulation in maternal and fetal tissues. Methods: Sixty-two first-trimester pregnant participants were randomized to receive either a prenatal MV containing 1000 μg dietary folate equivalent (DFE) of 6S-5-MTHF or 1330 μg DFE of FA for 24 weeks (n = 31/group). Fasting blood samples were collected at week 0, 12, and 24 of the study whereas cord blood and placental samples were collected at delivery. Results: By week 24 of the study, there were significantly fewer participants (7% versus 31%) with detectable UMFA and lower average UMFA concentrations in maternal blood of the MTHF-MV group versus the FA-MV group (p < 0.01). UMFA concentrations in the placenta were lower in the MTHF-MV group than the FA-MV group (p < 0.01). Few cord blood samples (n = 2) contained detectable UMFA and both were from the FA-MV group. By contrast, 5-MTHF and total folate levels in maternal and fetal tissue did not differ between groups. Conclusions: In conclusion, during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, prenatal MVs providing 6S-5-MTHF may be an efficacious alternative to FA because they prevent UMFA accumulation in maternal and fetal tissues without compromising total folate status. This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05673070).
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Draicchio, Fulvia, "Using 6S-5-methyltetrahydrofolate instead of folic acid in prenatal multivitamin reduces unmetabolized folic acid levels in the mother-fetus dyad: a 24-week randomized controlled trial" (2026). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/bc_etds/18
