Exploring the Impact of Folic Acid Supplementation and Vitamin B12 Deficiency on Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Pregnant Women with Celiac Disease.

Background

Celiac disease is a chronic small intestinal immune-mediated enteropathy precipitated by exposure to dietary gluten, affecting approximately 1% of the global population and two million Americans. An increasing number of studies have identified a link between celiac disease and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes during pregnancy and after birth. Additionally, both celiac disease and pregnancy are associated with an increased risk for nutrient deficiencies, specifically vitamin B12 and folate.

Methods

This review examines the current literature related to the folate trap and vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with celiac disease and pregnant women independently and provides rationale for future research to explore the relationship between the folate-to-12 ratio in pregnant women with celiac disease.

Results

Deficiencies in vitamin B12 are linked with several negative maternal and fetal health outcomes including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, spontaneous abortion/miscarriage, preterm birth, neural tube defects, intrauterine growth restriction, and low gestational age and birthweight.

Conclusions

Folic acid supplementation is widely recommended during pregnancy, but complementary vitamin B12 supplementation is not standard. Physicians should consider celiac disease screening during pregnancy as well as vitamin B12 supplementation.