14 DAY TRIAL // A recent study conducted by researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that future mothers who have a proper intake of vitamins during early pregnancy period are very likely to prevent health disorders in their babies. Women taking multivitamins since the first weeks of pregnancy, greatly reduce risk of brain tumors in their unborn offsprings.
"This current study suggests another possible protective effect for the vitamins. Children whose mothers took multivitamins close to the time of conception seemed less likely to suffer medulloblastoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the brain" noted study leader Greta R. Bunin, Ph.D., of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
It is highly recommended for future mothers to take vitamins as earlier as they can, before learning they carry a baby in their wombs. Taking vitamins later in the pregnancy, shortly before delivering the baby into the world, will not be as efficient in preventing the fetus' brain tumors. In my opinion, even if brain tumors are not very common among new born babies - with about one in 20000 children presenting brain tumors before the age of 6 - all mothers should stick to the saying "Better safe than sorry".
"Taking multivitamins in the first few weeks of pregnancy definitely helps prevent neural tube defects. While more research remains to be done, our findings suggest that multivitamins may prevent some brain tumors as well," stated Dr. Bunin.
Moreover, researchers involved in the study recommended taking vitamins to all women, whether they want to have a baby or not. Besides the fact that vitamins are necessary for every single human being, in case they get pregnant, women will be sure to have prevented brain tumors in their babies.
"Our findings suggest that the time close to conception may be a critical period in the development of these tumors. However, most women do not yet know they are pregnant at this very early stage. That is why women of reproductive age are advised to take multivitamins to prevent neural tube defects even if they are not trying to get pregnant," said the team.