Research shows that when mothers take folic acid supplements during pregnancy, their daughters show better memory and math skills 10-15 years later, according to Gram Research analysis of a 2026 study of 1,953 Chinese children. Girls also reported fewer depression symptoms, though this benefit only appeared in families with higher incomes. Boys showed no similar cognitive or mental health improvements. The findings suggest folic acid’s benefits extend beyond preventing birth defects, but also reveal that nutrition programs alone may not help all families equally.
A major study of nearly 2,000 Chinese children found that when mothers took folic acid supplements during pregnancy, their daughters showed better memory and math skills 10-15 years later, plus fewer signs of depression. However, these mental health benefits only appeared in girls from wealthier families, suggesting that nutrition alone isn’t enough to help all children equally. The research shows folic acid’s benefits may go beyond just preventing birth defects, but also reveals important gaps in how public health programs reach different groups.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research analysis of 1,953 Chinese children found that girls whose mothers took folic acid during pregnancy showed memory scores 0.232 points higher and math reasoning scores 5.234 points higher 10-15 years later.
According to a 2026 study of maternal folic acid supplementation in China, girls from higher-income families whose mothers took folic acid showed significantly lower depression symptoms, but girls from lower-income families showed no mental health improvements despite cognitive gains.
A 2026 analysis of China’s 2009 Folic Acid Supplementation Programme found sex-specific effects: daughters of participating mothers showed cognitive and mental health benefits, while sons showed no comparable improvements.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether mothers taking folic acid supplements during pregnancy affects their children’s thinking skills and mental health years later
- Who participated: 1,953 children aged 10-15 years old in China, studied in 2020. Researchers compared children whose mothers had access to a folic acid program in 2009 with those who didn’t, based on where they lived
- Key finding: Girls whose mothers took folic acid showed better memory scores and math skills, plus lower depression symptoms. Boys showed no similar benefits. Mental health improvements only appeared in girls from higher-income families
- What it means for you: Folic acid during pregnancy may help daughters’ brain development long-term, but the benefits aren’t equal for all families. This suggests that nutrition programs work best when combined with other support for lower-income families
The Research Details
Researchers used China’s 2009 Folic Acid Supplementation Programme as a natural experiment. They compared children in areas where the program was strongest (based on how many birth defects were prevented) with children in areas where it was weaker. This approach, called a ‘difference-in-differences’ model, helps show cause-and-effect by looking at what changed over time in different places.
The study used data from 1,953 children tested in 2020 when they were 10-15 years old. Researchers measured their memory, math skills, and depression symptoms. They adjusted their analysis to account for family income, parent education, and other factors that might affect child development.
This design is powerful because it uses a real government program rather than randomly assigning some families to take supplements and others not to—which would be difficult to do ethically.
This research approach matters because it shows long-term effects. Most folic acid studies only track whether babies are born healthy. This study followed children for over a decade to see if the benefits lasted. It also reveals an important problem: universal programs (available to everyone) might not help everyone equally if some families lack other resources like mental health support or stable living conditions.
Strengths: Large sample size (nearly 2,000 children), long follow-up period (11 years), used real government data, adjusted for multiple factors that could affect results. Limitations: The study is observational, meaning researchers couldn’t randomly assign who got supplements; results are from China only and may not apply elsewhere; the study couldn’t measure exactly how much folic acid each mother took; unmeasured factors (like family stress or nutrition overall) could have influenced results.
What the Results Show
Girls whose mothers participated in the folic acid program showed significantly better cognitive outcomes. Their memory scores were 0.232 points higher on a standard scale, and their math reasoning scores were 5.234 points higher—both meaningful improvements. On a depression screening test, girls showed scores that were 0.523 points lower, indicating fewer depressive symptoms.
However, boys showed no similar improvements in any of these areas. This sex difference was surprising and suggests that folic acid may affect boys’ and girls’ brain development differently, though researchers aren’t sure why.
When looking at family income, the cognitive benefits (better memory and math) appeared across all income groups for girls. But the mental health benefits—lower depression—only showed up in girls from higher-income families. Girls from lower-income families didn’t show depression improvements, even though they had better thinking skills.
The study found that the benefits were consistent even after accounting for parents’ education, family size, and other factors. This suggests the folic acid effects were real and not just due to other differences between families. The researchers also noted that their results held up across different statistical methods, making the findings more reliable.
Previous research has shown folic acid prevents neural tube defects (birth defects of the brain and spine) by about 70%. This study adds new information by showing benefits may extend into childhood and adolescence. However, most prior studies focused on birth outcomes, not long-term development. The finding that benefits differ by sex and income level is relatively new and suggests previous ‘one-size-fits-all’ conclusions may be incomplete.
The study cannot prove that folic acid caused the improvements—only that they were associated. Families who participated in the program might have differed in other ways (like overall health awareness) that also helped children develop better. The research is specific to rural China in 2009 and may not apply to other countries or time periods. Researchers couldn’t measure exactly how much folic acid mothers consumed or for how long. Finally, the study couldn’t explain why boys didn’t benefit or why mental health benefits only appeared in wealthier families.
The Bottom Line
According to Gram Research analysis, maternal folic acid supplementation during pregnancy appears beneficial for daughters’ cognitive development (memory and math skills) with moderate-to-strong evidence. Mental health benefits are less certain and appear limited to higher-income families. Current public health guidelines recommending folic acid for all pregnant women remain supported by this evidence, but programs should be combined with mental health support and other resources, especially for lower-income families. Confidence level: Moderate for cognitive benefits; Lower for mental health benefits.
Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should continue taking folic acid as recommended by health providers—this study supports existing guidance. Parents of girls aged 10-15 may be interested in understanding long-term benefits. Policymakers should note that nutrition programs alone may not close health gaps between rich and poor families. This research is less relevant for those not planning pregnancy or for understanding boys’ development, where benefits weren’t observed.
The benefits observed in this study appeared over 10-15 years—from pregnancy through early adolescence. Parents shouldn’t expect immediate changes but rather gradual improvements in learning and mood over childhood and into the teenage years. The study doesn’t tell us if benefits continue into adulthood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does folic acid during pregnancy help kids’ brains develop better?
Research shows daughters of mothers who took folic acid had better memory and math skills 10-15 years later, with memory scores 0.232 points higher and math reasoning 5.234 points higher. Sons showed no similar benefits, suggesting effects may be sex-specific.
Can folic acid prevent depression in children?
Girls from higher-income families whose mothers took folic acid showed fewer depression symptoms. However, girls from lower-income families didn’t show this mental health benefit, suggesting income and other family resources matter for this outcome.
Should all pregnant women take folic acid supplements?
Yes, current health guidelines recommending folic acid for all pregnant women remain supported. This study adds evidence that benefits may extend beyond preventing birth defects, though combining nutrition programs with mental health support appears important for all families to benefit equally.
Why did boys not benefit from maternal folic acid in this study?
The study found no cognitive or mental health improvements in boys whose mothers took folic acid, though researchers aren’t certain why. This sex difference suggests folic acid may affect boys’ and girls’ brain development differently, but more research is needed to understand the reason.
Does folic acid help children from poor families as much as rich families?
Girls from all income levels showed better thinking skills, but only girls from wealthier families showed mental health improvements. This suggests nutrition programs work best when combined with other support like mental health services and stable living conditions.
Want to Apply This Research?
- For pregnant users: Log folic acid supplement intake daily and track prenatal visit dates. For parents of children 10-15: Monitor school grades (especially math), memory-related activities (like recalling shopping lists), and mood using a simple weekly mood check (1-10 scale) to establish baseline and track changes over months and years.
- Pregnant users should set daily reminders to take folic acid at the same time each day and log completion in the app. Parents can use the app to schedule regular check-ins about their child’s mood and academic performance, creating a simple record to share with doctors if concerns arise.
- Create a long-term dashboard tracking folic acid adherence during pregnancy, then switch to monitoring child development metrics (academic performance, mood, behavior) quarterly from ages 5-15. This allows families to see patterns over years and discuss results with pediatricians at annual visits.
This research describes associations between maternal folic acid supplementation and child development outcomes in a Chinese population and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should follow their healthcare provider’s recommendations regarding folic acid supplementation, which typically include 400-800 micrograms daily. This study cannot prove folic acid caused the observed improvements, only that they were associated. Results are specific to rural China and may not apply to other populations. Parents concerned about their child’s cognitive or mental health should consult with pediatricians or mental health professionals. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical guidance.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.