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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study reveals an association between two genes involved with choline metabolism and the risk of spina bifida. The finding was independent to the amount of choline in the diet during pregnancy.
Neural tubal defects are complex congenital malformations of the central nervous system, and one of the most common ones is spina bifida. Recent studies have suggested the amount of choline taken in during pregnancy could decrease the risk of spina bifida for the fetus. Choline is a nutrient used for cardiovascular and brain function and for cell repair. Choline is found in beef liver, egg yolk, peanuts, sunflower seeds, cauliflower and soy.
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The current study included data on 103 infants with spina bifida and 338 healthy infants. Researchers from the Texas A&M University System Health Science Center analyzed two specific genes in all of the participants.
Study authors report one gene variant known as CHKA is associated with a reduced risk of spina bifida, and the other gene variant known as PCYT1A is associated with an increased risk of the birth defect. These findings were not affected by how much choline the mother ate during pregnancy.
Researchers conclude that the results of this study show dietary choline and choline metabolism genes may affect the risk of spina bifida independently.
SOURCE: BioMed Central Medicine, published online on Dec. 20, 2006
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
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