Guidance
Recommendations for research
The guideline committee has made the following recommendations for research.
Key recommendations for research
1 Digital technologies to increase uptake of folic acid supplementation
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of digital technologies (for example, social media and online support groups) to increase the uptake of folic acid supplementation before and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy? [2025]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on folic acid before and during pregnancy .
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: interventions to increase uptake of folic acid supplementation before and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
2 High-dose folic acid supplementation
What is the safest and most effective dose for folic acid supplementation before and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy for people at a high risk of conceiving a child with a neural tube defect or congenital malformation? [2025]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on folic acid before and during pregnancy .
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review A: high-dose folic acid supplementation before and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
3 Optimum dose of vitamin D during pregnancy for people with a BMI that is within the overweight or obesity weight categories
What dose of vitamin D is appropriate during pregnancy for people with a body mass index (BMI) that is within the overweight or obesity weight categories? [2025]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on vitamin D and other vitamin supplements during and after pregnancy and for babies and children under 5 .
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review D: optimum vitamin D dose during pregnancy for those medically classified as being in the overweight or obese weight categories.
4 Dietary interventions during pregnancy for people with gestational diabetes
What are the most clinically and cost-effective dietary interventions to improve glycaemic control, maternal and baby outcomes for people with gestational diabetes? [2025]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on gestational diabetes .
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review H: healthy lifestyle interventions for those with gestational diabetes.
5 Safe and appropriate formula feeding
What are the facilitators and barriers for safe and appropriate formula feeding in the context of poverty and food insecurity? [2025]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on supporting safe and appropriate formula feeding .
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review L: facilitators and barriers to follow existing government advice on safe and appropriate formula feeding.