The Claim
Folic acid and zinc supplementation increases the risk of preterm birth by 1.9 percentage points (6% vs 4%) in couples undergoing infertility treatment.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Couples receiving folic acid and zinc supplements during infertility treatment have a higher rate of preterm birth compared to those who do not, with 6% of supplemented couples experiencing preterm birth versus 4% of unsupplemented couples.
See the scientific wording
Folic acid and zinc supplementation increases the risk of preterm birth by 1.9 percentage points (6% vs 4%) in couples undergoing infertility treatment, although this finding was exploratory and not powered for this outcome.
Higher levels of folic acid and zinc change how the embryo attaches to the uterus and how the placenta forms, causing the pregnancy to end earlier than normal.
What the research says
1 studyWhen men took folic acid and zinc supplements while their partners were getting fertility treatment, a slightly higher number of babies were born early (6% vs 4%) compared to men who took a placebo. This suggests the supplements might raise the chance of early birth, though more research is needed to be sure.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.