The FIG Study

The FIG Study will help to investigate the importance of continuing folic acid supplementation throughout the later stages of pregnancy.

We know that folic acid is an essential nutrient and getting enough during the very early stages of pregnancy is important to reduce the chances of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida, which is a serious birth defect.

We don't know if there is any benefit to continuing to take folic acid throughout the later months of pregnancy, after the neural tube has closed at about 4 weeks post conception.

Hear Dr Jenni Goold, South Australian GP of the Year 2024 and Chief Investigator in The FIG Study, explain more about why The FIG Study is being conducted.

Some studies show that continuing to take folic acid during this stage is associated with a reduced risk of conditions such as gestational diabetes, preterm birth, postnatal depression, and developmental delay in the child. However, 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. This is why we're conducting the FIG Study.

The FIG Study is a national, randomised, control trial that aims to investigate and evaluate the risks and benefits of continued folic acid supplementation. This is important to know so that future families, their doctors, and policymakers can make informed decisions during pregnancy.

• We will provide you with prenatal supplements for you to take when you are 12 weeks through your pregnancy and until your baby is 3 months old at no cost to you. The ingredients in the study supplements provided are based on the leading brands of prenatal supplements sold across Australia. Click here to see the full ingredient list.
  
• Your contribution will help future families and doctors make informed decisions on folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and lactation.
• This study has the potential to change Australian guidelines around folic acid supplementation.

If you decide to take part in the study, we will keep in contact with you throughout your pregnancy and for the first 2 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.

If you live in South Australia, we may also invite you to our Adelaide clinic on one occasion for a small blood sample roughly halfway through your pregnancy.

If you have any questions about the study or would like to speak to a member of our team, please contact us on (08) 8128 4436 or at FIGStudy@sahmri.com.

Partnering Institutions

Caring Futures Institute
Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute

This study has been reviewed and approved by Women's and Children's Health Network Ethics Committee (2024/HRE00017).