(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A mother who has a diet rich in folate, an important prenatal supplement, could increase the chance that her infant will suffer from asthma after birth, according to a new Duke University study.

Scientists gathered evidence in mice that had diets rich in methyl donors, one source of which is folate, and found that the development and severity of asthma was enhanced in their offspring.

The authors cautioned that it is important to determine if the same effects occur in humans before changing the current recommendations about folate supplements since it helps prevent severe birth defects and conditions, such as spina bifida.

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Investigation