Who is SAHMRI Women and Kids?
SAHMRI is South Australia’s flagship health and medical research institute, working closely with clinicians and researchers around Australia to answer important research questions.
The vision of SAHMRI Women and Kids is to improve the health and wellbeing of women and families and ensure that all children can reach their full potential by improving access to quality maternal and perinatal health care. Our work helps inform nutritional guidelines in pregnancy.
What is the FIG study?
Delivered by SAHMRI Women and Kids, the Folic Acid in Gestation Study (FIG), has been funded by the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation, as part of the Bloom Research Program. It’s a national, randomised, control trial that aims to investigate and evaluate the risks and benefits of folic acid supplementation, particularly its relationship with gestational diabetes. This is important to know so that families, their doctors and policymakers can make informed decisions during pregnancy.
Why are we doing the FIG study?
Folic acid is an essential nutrient and getting enough prior to conception and in the first trimester is crucial to reduce the chances of babies having a Neural Tube Defect (NTD), such as spina bifida. However, the neural tube closes four weeks after conception, and for most women we don’t know whether it’s good or bad to continue taking folic acid throughout the rest of pregnancy, and into the first months of baby’s life. The FIG Study will answer this important question.
What does current research show?
Some studies show that continuing to take folic acid throughout pregnancy and lactation is associated with a reduced risk of conditions such as gestational diabetes, preterm birth, postnatal depression, and developmental delay in the child. Other studies show that continuing folic acid is associated with an increased risk of other conditions such as gestational diabetes, preterm birth, allergy, and obesity. All of these studies are observational, which means they can’t tell us for sure what the risks and benefits of continuing to take folic acid are.
Who is taking part?
We are working to enrol 2,826 pregnant participants from across Australia who are less than 16 weeks through their pregnancy.
How does it work?
Participants will be supplied with prenatal multivitamin supplements to take from the second trimester of this pregnancy and until 3 months after giving birth. Our supplements have been specially formulated for The FIG Study and closely match the ingredients of leading brands of prenatal supplements sold in Australia with one exception. One group of women will receive supplements with a standard amount of folic acid (500 μg), and the other will receive a supplement with no folic acid. Participants will not know which group they are in and neither will the researchers.
What would I need to do?
We will ask you to stop taking other prenatal multivitamins and supplements that contain folic acid, so you don’t double up on nutrients. Participants will complete the study remotely via phone, email or post. SA participants may need to make a single visit to a SAHMRI clinic for a blood sample. This is outlined within the consent form and is an optional blood sample, meaning you can be involved in the study without having a blood sample taken.
Interstate participants will be asked to mail a saliva sample when you receive the study supplements. We will provide the kit, instructions, and a pre-paid envelope so that you can post it back to us.
All participants will be asked to complete the Australian Eating Survey at around 20 weeks to understand your dietary folate intake. You will receive a report with a detailed assessment of your diet.
We will also ask for the results of your oral glucose tolerance test that is performed as part of your routine pregnancy care at around 28 weeks.
We’ll keep in contact with you throughout your pregnancy and for the first two years of your child’s life. We will ask you to complete online questionnaires at different time points to help us determine various health outcomes of both you and your baby.
How do I sign up?
Those interested in taking part can check their eligibility online.
Alternatively, please contact FIGStudy@sahmri.com to find out if you’re eligible and to register.
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