One carbon metabolism and birth defects

The objective was to investigate whether intake of nutrients involved in one-carbon metabolism (folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, riboflavin, choline, betaine, zinc, and methionine) through diet alone or in combination with a supplement containing folic acid influenced the risk for transverse limb deficiency (TLD) and longitudinal limb deficiency (LLD).

They analyzed 1997-2003 data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and included 324 case infants with TLD, 158 case infants with LLD, and 4982 nonmalformed control infants.

TLD and LLD were not associated with supplement use, but TLD was associated with low intakes of riboflavin from diet.

Robitaille et al (2009). "Maternal nutrient intake and risks for transverse and longitudinal limb deficiencies: Data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2003." Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology. March 1 Epub.