Robert Freedman

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Prenatal choline trial links supplement to higher child IQ and fewer social withdrawal problems

Professor of psychiatry at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Four-year-olds whose mothers took a daily choline supplement during pregnancy scored about eight points higher on IQ tests and had far fewer social withdrawal problems than children whose mothers got a placebo. The trial, the largest randomized test of prenatal choline, enrolled 206 pregnant women at University of Colorado hospitals and published its results in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Updated Oct 26

Notable Quotes

"This is the largest randomized clinical trial of prenatal choline supplementation ever conducted." — Robert Freedman, study senior author

from Prenatal choline trial links supplement to higher child IQ and fewer social withdrawal problems · Updated Oct 26

We think the dose we recommended in this trial was a bit higher than needed, so we are recommending 7,200 mg of phosphatidylcholine or 900 mg of choline itself. Both are available in drug and grocery stores.

from Prenatal choline trial links supplement to higher child IQ and fewer social withdrawal problems · Updated Oct 26

"This study provides additional evidence that choline supplements during pregnancy can have lasting effects on children’s brain development." — Robert Freedman, study senior author

from Prenatal choline trial links supplement to higher child IQ and fewer social withdrawal problems · Updated Oct 26