New research indicates folic acid supplement intake through the entire duration of pregnancy, only increases the risk of the child having asthma by 26%.

These findings, researchers from the Univerity of Adelaide, Australia say, may help explain the increase in allergic asthma in children over the last 20-years.

For the study, as many as 500-mothers answered questions about their folic acid supplementation, including diet and lifestyle habits, such as smoking, finding women increased their chances of having children diagnosed with asthma when they reached three and a half years, by taking folic acid supplements late into their pregnancy.

Previous studies have indicated a similar link in mice, which for the first time has been found in humans. Additional research is necessary before pregnant women are advised against taking folic acid supplements, currently deemed important for preventing neural tube defects like spina bifida.

No link was indicated between childhood asthma and folic acid intake before pregnancy or during the first trimester.

The study’s findings have been published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Around 5-million people, including 1-million people in Britaiin suffer from asthma.

Researchers say, most likely folic acid interferes with proteins connected to the immune system, making the body more sensitive to allergens, and thus ncreasing the likelihood of asthma.

However, currently women planning a pregnancy or those in their first trimester are encouraged to take folic acid supplements.