{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,23]],"date-time":"2026-10-23T19:12:23Z","timestamp":1792782743990,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1787788800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1787788800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"The University of Queensland","id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/00rqy9422","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"crossref"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Eur J Nutr"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Purpose<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>While maternal folic acid intake during periconception is well-known for preventing neural tube defects, its association with childhood behavioural outcomes remains understudied. This study examined the association between preconception folic acid intake and behavioural problems in children aged 2\u20138\u00a0years.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>We analysed data from 646 children and their 563 mothers participating in the Mothers\u2019 and their Children\u2019s Healthcare Experience Study, a sub-study of the 1989\u201395 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women\u2019s Health. Mothers reported preconception folic acid intake and rated their child\u2019s behaviours using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Analyses were conducted using Poisson regression with robust standard error.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Nearly two-thirds (63%) of mothers reported taking FA supplements prior to the child\u2019s birth. Overall, 64% of children were reported to experience at least one behavioural problem across the behaviour difficulties subscales. After adjusting for potential confounders, children of mothers who reported taking FA supplements before conception had a 34% lower risk of peer relationship problems than those whose mothers did not (RR = 0.66; 95% CI 0.49\u20130.87). No associations were found between preconception folic acid intake and the total behavioural difficulties, emotional, conduct, or hyperactivity problem subscales.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>While large prospective studies are required to confirm these associations, our findings suggest that preconception folic acid intake may lower the risk of peer relationship problems in offspring. Supporting mothers to become more aware of the benefits of folic acid intake may contribute to optimal peer relationship outcomes in their offspring.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1007\/s00394-026-04094-5","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T14:02:20Z","timestamp":1787839340000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Association between preconception folic acid intake and behavioural problems in children aged 2\u20138\u00a0years: a prospective cohort study"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"65","author":[{"given":"Alemayehu G.","family":"Mekonnen","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dereje G.","family":"Gete","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jenny","family":"Doust","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gita D.","family":"Mishra","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]]},"reference":[{"issue":"1","key":"4094_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"281","DOI":"10.1038\/s41380-021-01161-7","volume":"27","author":"M Solmi","year":"2022","unstructured":"Solmi M, Radua J, Olivola M, Croce E, Soardo L et al (2022) Age at onset of mental disorders worldwide: large-scale meta-analysis of 192 epidemiological studies. Mol Psychiatry 27(1):281\u2013295","journal-title":"Mol Psychiatry"},{"issue":"1","key":"4094_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/bs14010049","volume":"14","author":"B Dachew","year":"2024","unstructured":"Dachew B, Adane A, Alati R (2024) Maternal pregnancy and pre-pregnancy weight and behavioural outcomes in children. Behav Sci 14(1):49","journal-title":"Behav Sci"},{"issue":"1","key":"4094_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"503","DOI":"10.1007\/s00394-020-02264-7","volume":"60","author":"G Gete","year":"2021","unstructured":"Gete G, Waller M, Mishra G (2021) Pre-pregnancy diet quality and its association with offspring behavioral problems. Eur J Nutr 60(1):503\u2013515","journal-title":"Eur J Nutr"},{"issue":"1","key":"4094_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"36","DOI":"10.1136\/ebmental-2021-300277","volume":"25","author":"J Barican","year":"2022","unstructured":"Barican J, Yung D, Schwartz C, Zheng Y, Georgiades K, Waddell C (2022) Prevalence of childhood mental disorders in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis to inform policymaking. Evid Based Ment Health 25(1):36\u201344","journal-title":"Evid Based Ment Health"},{"issue":"2","key":"4094_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"815","DOI":"10.1017\/S0954579424000695","volume":"37","author":"A Mlodnicka","year":"2025","unstructured":"Mlodnicka A, Mansolf M, Chandran A, Aris M, Calub C et al (2025) Prediction of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in late childhood from attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in early childhood. Dev Psychopathol 37(2):815\u2013824","journal-title":"Dev Psychopathol"},{"key":"4094_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"182","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2021.07.030","volume":"129","author":"M Mulraney","year":"2021","unstructured":"Mulraney M, Coghill D, Bishop C, Mehmed Y et al (2021) A systematic review of the persistence of childhood mental health problems into adulthood. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 129:182\u2013205","journal-title":"Neurosci Biobehav Rev"},{"issue":"19","key":"4094_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/nu16193337","volume":"16","author":"X Na","year":"2024","unstructured":"Na X, Mackean P, Cape G, Johnson J, Ou X (2024) Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and offspring brain development: insights from neuroimaging. Nutrients 16(19):3337","journal-title":"Nutrients"},{"issue":"7","key":"4094_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms25074036","volume":"25","author":"R Bekdash","year":"2024","unstructured":"Bekdash R (2024) Epigenetics, nutrition, and the brain: improving mental health through diet. Int J Mol Sci 25(7):4036","journal-title":"Int J Mol Sci"},{"issue":"1","key":"4094_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1186\/s13148-022-01282-y","volume":"14","author":"M Ondi\u010dov\u00e1","year":"2022","unstructured":"Ondi\u010dov\u00e1 M, Irwin R, Thursby S, Hilman L et al (2022) FA intervention during pregnancy alters DNA methylation, affecting neural target genes through two distinct mechanisms. Clin Epigenetics 14(1):63","journal-title":"Clin Epigenetics"},{"issue":"16","key":"4094_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms26167703","volume":"26","author":"J Li","year":"2025","unstructured":"Li J, Duan H, Ramaswamy H, Wang C (2025) A comprehensive review of fortification, bioavailability, and health benefits of folate. Int J Mol Sci 26(16):7703","journal-title":"Int J Mol Sci"},{"issue":"2","key":"4094_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1071\/PY25172","volume":"32","author":"AG Mekonnen","year":"2026","unstructured":"Mekonnen AG, Doust J, Gete DG, Mishra GD (2026) National and international guidelines for preconception care and comparison with Australian guidelines: a systematic review. Aust J Prim Health 32(2):PY25172","journal-title":"Aust J Prim Health"},{"key":"4094_CR12","unstructured":"RACGP (2024) The royal australian college of general practitioners. Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice. 10th edn, updated. East Melbourne, Vic. https:\/\/www.racgp.org.au\/getattachment\/6915f6fd-0508-427c-98ed-01c61d6fb2a4\/Guidelines-for-preventive-activities-in-general-practice.aspx. (Accessed 26 June 2025)"},{"issue":"4","key":"4094_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"412","DOI":"10.1159\/000539803","volume":"59","author":"B Abate","year":"2025","unstructured":"Abate B, Kumsa H, Kibret G, Kassa M, Munie M et al (2025) Preconception FA and multivitamin supplementation for the prevention of neural tube defect: an umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroepidemiology 59(4):412\u2013425","journal-title":"Neuroepidemiology"},{"issue":"19","key":"4094_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3771","DOI":"10.1080\/10408398.2021.1993781","volume":"63","author":"H Chen","year":"2023","unstructured":"Chen H, Qin L, Gao R, Jin X, Cheng K, Zhang S et al (2023) Neurodevelopmental effects of maternal FA supplementation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Critic Rev Food Sci Nutr 63(19):3771\u20133787","journal-title":"Critic Rev Food Sci Nutr"},{"issue":"1","key":"4094_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"196","DOI":"10.1186\/s12916-019-1432-4","volume":"17","author":"H McNulty","year":"2019","unstructured":"McNulty H, Rollins M, Cassidy T, Caffrey A, Marshall B, Dornan J et al (2019) Effect of continued FA supplementation beyond the first trimester of pregnancy on cognitive performance in the child: a follow-up study from a randomized controlled trial (FASSTT Offspring Trial). BMC Med 17(1):196","journal-title":"BMC Med"},{"issue":"1","key":"4094_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.1007\/s00394-025-03827-2","volume":"65","author":"W Qiang","year":"2025","unstructured":"Qiang W, Fan T, Liu J, Yan S, Geo G, Tao F et al (2025) A new perspective on the association between maternal FA supplementation across the perinatal period and cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children at age 4: findings from the MABC birth cohort study. Eur J Nutr 65(1):12","journal-title":"Eur J Nutr"},{"issue":"12","key":"4094_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2480","DOI":"10.1017\/S000711452200037X","volume":"128","author":"T Suzuki","year":"2022","unstructured":"Suzuki T, Nishigori T, Obara T, Masumoto T, Mori M, Murata T et al (2022) Maternal FA supplement use\/dietary folate intake from preconception to early pregnancy and neurodevelopment in 2-year-old offspring: the Japan environment and children\u2019s study. Br J Nutr 128(12):2480\u20132489","journal-title":"Br J Nutr"},{"issue":"2","key":"4094_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"327","DOI":"10.3390\/nu13020327","volume":"13","author":"L Compan-Gabucio","year":"2021","unstructured":"Compan-Gabucio L, Torres-Collado L, Hera M, Fern\u00e1ndez-Somoano A, Tard\u00f3n A et al (2021) The use of lower or higher than recommended doses of FA supplements during pregnancy is associated with child attentional dysfunction at 4\u20135 years of age in the INMA project. Nutrients 13(2):327","journal-title":"Nutrients"},{"issue":"5","key":"4094_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3391","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clnu.2020.11.025","volume":"40","author":"R Zou","year":"2021","unstructured":"Zou R, Marroun H, Cecil C, Jaddoe V, Hillegers M, Tiemeier H et al (2021) Maternal folate levels during pregnancy and offspring brain development in late childhood. Clin Nutr 40(5):3391\u20133400","journal-title":"Clin Nutr"},{"issue":"19","key":"4094_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12123","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph191912123","volume":"19","author":"L Compan Gabucio","year":"2022","unstructured":"Compan Gabucio L, de la Hera M, Torres Collado L, Fern\u00e1ndez-Somoano A et al (2022) Association between the use of FA supplements during pregnancy and children\u2019s cognitive function at 7\u20139 years of age in the INMA cohort study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19(19):12123","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"4094_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1038\/s41430-025-01657-3","volume":"80","author":"M Yang","year":"2025","unstructured":"Yang M, Wang Z, Zhou K, Ren S, Cao Y, Jin X et al (2025) Association between maternal FA supplementation in different pregnancy and infant neurobehavioral development at 6 and 18 months. Eur J Clin Nutr 80(1):37\u201345","journal-title":"Eur J Clin Nutr"},{"issue":"3","key":"4094_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"133","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tins.2020.01.002","volume":"43","author":"C Nelson III","year":"2020","unstructured":"Nelson C III, Gabard-Durnam L (2020) Early adversity and critical periods: neurodevelopmental consequences of violating the expectable environment. Trends Neurosci 43(3):133\u2013143","journal-title":"Trends Neurosci"},{"issue":"2","key":"4094_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"391","DOI":"10.1093\/ije\/dyx133","volume":"47","author":"D Loxton","year":"2018","unstructured":"Loxton D, Leigh T, Harris M, Forder P, Dobson A, Powers J et al (2018) Cohort profile: The Australian longitudinal study on women\u2019s health (ALSWH) 1989\u201395 cohort. Int J Epidemiol 47(2):391\u2013392","journal-title":"Int J Epidemiol"},{"issue":"11","key":"4094_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1337","DOI":"10.1097\/00004583-200111000-00015","volume":"40","author":"R Goodman","year":"2001","unstructured":"Goodman R (2001) Psychometric properties of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 40(11):1337\u20131345","journal-title":"J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry"},{"key":"4094_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.2147\/PROM.S122420","volume":"8","author":"J Hall","year":"2017","unstructured":"Hall J, Barrett G, Copas A, Stephenson J (2017) London measure of unplanned pregnancy: guidance for its use as an outcome measure. Patient Relat Outcome Meas 8:43\u201356","journal-title":"Patient Relat Outcome Meas"},{"issue":"11","key":"4094_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2022","DOI":"10.1017\/S1368980011000012","volume":"14","author":"J Sikkens","year":"2011","unstructured":"Sikkens J, Eijsden M, Bonsel G, Cornel M (2011) Validation of self-reported FA use in a multiethnic population: results of the Amsterdam born children and their development study. Public Health Nutr 14(11):2022\u20132028","journal-title":"Public Health Nutr"},{"key":"4094_CR27","unstructured":"ABS (2016) Australian statistical geography standard (ASGS): Volume 5\u2014remoteness structure. The Australian Bureau of Statistics, July 2016. 1270.0.55.005. https:\/\/www.abs.gov.au\/ausstats\/abs@.nsf\/mf\/1270.0.55.005. [Accessed Jan 17, 2025]."},{"issue":"6","key":"4094_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"959","DOI":"10.1017\/S0033291702006074","volume":"32","author":"R Kessler","year":"2002","unstructured":"Kessler R, Andrews G, Colpe J, Hirpi E, Mroczec D et al (2002) Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychol Med 32(6):959\u2013976","journal-title":"Psychol Med"},{"key":"4094_CR29","unstructured":"NHMRC (2013) National health and medical research council. Australian dietary guidelines. Canberra (Australia): 2013. National Health and Medical Research Council. https:\/\/www.health.gov.au\/resources\/publications\/the-australian-dietary-guidelines. [Accessed April 07, 2026]."},{"key":"4094_CR30","unstructured":"Brown W, Bauman E, Bull C, Burton W (2012) Development of Evidence-based Physical Activity Recommendations for Adults (18\u201364 years). Report prepared for the Australian government department of health, August 2012. https:\/\/www.health.gov.au\/resources\/publications\/development-of-evidence-based-physical-activity-for-adults-18-to-64-years?language=en. [Accessed Apr 15 2025]."},{"key":"4094_CR31","unstructured":"NHMRC (2020) Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. National health and medical research council. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra; 2020. https:\/\/www.nhmrc.gov.au\/about-us\/publications\/australian-guidelines-reduce-health-risks-drinking-alcohol. [Accessed April 07 2024]."},{"issue":"7","key":"4094_CR32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"702","DOI":"10.1093\/aje\/kwh090","volume":"159","author":"G Zou","year":"2004","unstructured":"Zou G (2004) A modified poisson regression approach to prospective studies with binary data. Am J Epidemiol 159(7):702\u2013706","journal-title":"Am J Epidemiol"},{"issue":"2","key":"4094_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"620","DOI":"10.1093\/ije\/dyaa213","volume":"50","author":"P Tennant","year":"2021","unstructured":"Tennant P, Murray J, Arnold K, Berrie L, Fox M et al (2021) Use of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) to identify confounders in applied health research: review and recommendations. Int J Epidemiol 50(2):620\u2013632","journal-title":"Int J Epidemiol"},{"issue":"5","key":"4094_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"352","DOI":"10.1080\/1028415X.2017.1290932","volume":"21","author":"J Virk","year":"2018","unstructured":"Virk J, Liew Z, Olsen J, Nohr E, Catov J, Ritz B (2018) Pre-conceptual and prenatal supplementary FA and multivitamin intake, behavioral problems, and hyperkinetic disorders: a study based on the Danish national birth cohort (DNBC). Nutr Neurosci 21(5):352\u2013360","journal-title":"Nutr Neurosci"},{"issue":"5","key":"4094_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"594","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-7610.2009.02182.x","volume":"51","author":"W Schlotz","year":"2010","unstructured":"Schlotz W, Jones A, Phillips D, Gale C, Robinson S et al (2010) Lower maternal folate status in early pregnancy is associated with childhood hyperactivity and peer problems in offspring. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 51(5):594\u2013602","journal-title":"J Child Psychol Psychiatry"},{"issue":"1","key":"4094_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s12263-020-00681-1","volume":"16","author":"X Wang","year":"2021","unstructured":"Wang X, Li Z, Zhu Y, Yan J, Liu H, Huang G, Li W (2021) Maternal FA impacts DNA methylation profile in male rat offspring implicated in neurodevelopment and learning\/memory abilities. Genes Nutr 16(1):1","journal-title":"Genes Nutr"},{"issue":"6","key":"4094_CR37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"871","DOI":"10.3390\/antiox10060871","volume":"10","author":"O Asbaghi","year":"2021","unstructured":"Asbaghi O, Ghanavati M, Ashtary-Larky D, Bagheri B, Kelishadi M et al (2021) Effects of FA supplementation on oxidative stress markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Antioxidants 10(6):871","journal-title":"Antioxidants"},{"issue":"8","key":"4094_CR38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1250","DOI":"10.1017\/S0007114521002154","volume":"127","author":"Y Yonezawa","year":"2022","unstructured":"Yonezawa Y, Ueno F, Obara T, Yamashita T, Ishikuro M et al (2022) Fruit and vegetable consumption before and during pregnancy and developmental delays in offspring aged 2 years in Japan. Br J Nutr 127(8):1250\u20131258","journal-title":"Br J Nutr"},{"issue":"3","key":"4094_CR39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2019-2007","volume":"145","author":"I Lund","year":"2020","unstructured":"Lund I, Eilertsen E, Gjerde L, Torvik F, R\u00f8ysamb E et al (2020) Maternal drinking and child emotional and behavior problems. Pediatrics 145(3):e20192007","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"issue":"5","key":"4094_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"581","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-7610.1997.tb01545.x","volume":"38","author":"R Goodman","year":"1997","unstructured":"Goodman R (1997) The strengths and difficulties questionnaire: a research note. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 38(5):581\u2013586","journal-title":"J Child Psychol Psychiatry"}],"container-title":["European Journal of Nutrition"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s00394-026-04094-5.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s00394-026-04094-5","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s00394-026-04094-5.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,28]],"date-time":"2026-09-28T13:31:43Z","timestamp":1790602303000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1007\/s00394-026-04094-5"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]]},"references-count":40,"journal-issue":{"issue":"6","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]}},"alternative-id":["4094"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00394-026-04094-5","relation":{},"ISSN":["1436-6207","1436-6215"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1436-6207","type":"print"},{"value":"1436-6215","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]]},"assertion":[{"value":"18 February 2026","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"18 August 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"27 August 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"The authors disclose no conflict of interest.","order":1,"name":"Ethics","label":"Conflict of interest","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}}],"article-number":"241"}}