LONG-TERM SOMATIC AND MENTAL-DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AFTER PERICONCEPTIONAL MULTIVITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION

The preventive effect of periconceptional folic acid-containing multiv itamin supplementation compared to placebo-like trace element tablets on the number of first-occurring neural-tube defects was well document ed in the Hungarian randomized double-blind trial. The effect of this new primary prevention on the early (first 11 months) postnatal develo pment has also been studied. This follow up was expanded to children a t the 2nd and 6th years of age studied previously by a blind examinati on of their somatic and mental development. Confounding factors and ca se histories were evaluated and paediatric, ophthalmological, audiolog ical and psychometric examinations were performed on 625 children. Con clusion There were no differences in the rate and distribution of diso rders including allergies (except otitis media), ophthalmological and audiological anomalies, anthropometric and mental development between children who belonged to the multivitamin or to the trace element grou p.