Many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of folic acid (FA) supplementation in prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs), although the extent of NTDs varies among individuals of different races and ethnic origin. China is a multi-ethnic country with no standard practice for FA-fortified food. Milk is consumed by women, but little is known about the effects of milk on folate concentration in maternal blood and neonatal umbilical cord blood in Han and Mongolian women after stopping taking the supplement for a month and five month, respectively. The objective of this study was to determine whether only daily consumption of liquid milk can increase the blood folate concentration in pregnant women and whether there are differences in blood folate concentrations between Han and Mongolian women after cessation of FA supplementation. Of the 4052 women enrolled in the parallel group design study. Three thousand five hundred and twenty-six women had confirmed pregnancies and were randomized to receive liquid milk or not until delivery. Women who consumed the liquid milk had significantly increased serum folate concentrations at 16 and 32 weeks of gestation as well as cord blood at birth compared to control groups in both ethnic groups. Infants born to women drinking milk also had better the term birth weight and height, which may be related to the increased concentration of folate. In conclusion, daily consumption of milk can increase the serum folate concentration in pregnant Han and Mongolian women in China (differences in the efficacy of FA and milk supplementation) and may enhance birth outcomes.
许多研究证明补充叶酸能够有效预防神经管畸形，然而不同种族间神经管畸形 的发生程度不同。中国是一个没有实施叶酸强化标准食物的多民族国家，尚不 清楚补充牛奶是否对中国汉族和蒙古族怀孕妇女停止服用叶酸1 个月和5 个月 后的血清和脐带血中叶酸含量有影响。本研究的目的是确定怀孕妇女停止服用 叶酸后，每天补充液体牛奶是否能够增加血液中叶酸的含量，以及汉族和蒙古 族之间是否有差别？4052 名妇女参与了此项研究，其中3526 名妇女被确认怀 孕，随机分为补充牛奶组和不补充牛奶组。结果显示补充牛奶后，无论汉族还 是蒙古族，在孕16 周和32 周及脐带血中的叶酸含量都显著升高。补充牛奶的 妇女所生婴儿的体重和身高都好于未补充牛奶妇女所生的婴儿，这可能和血清 中叶酸浓度的升高有关。总而言之，每天补充牛奶能够提高中国汉族和蒙古族 怀孕妇女血清中的叶酸浓度，并可能改善出生结局。