The Bump

Johnny E. Johnson Jr. MD

President Mile High Medical Society of Black Physicians
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Board Certified)
University of Colorado School of Medicine

Robert Freedman MD
Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Member, National Academy of Medicine
robertfreedmanmd.com
Robert.freedman@cuanschutz.edu
(720) 224-4638

Premature birth is 50% higher in Black women than in White women. One cause of premature birth is the Black women’s low level of choline in pregnancy, which is essential for maturation of the placenta to retard premature deliver. Choline also helps support fetal brain development, so that the children are less susceptible to ADHD and other childhood mental disorders. 40% of women have coverage from Medicaid for their pregnancy and delivery. Choline supplements were approved this years for provision without cost, along with their other prenatal vitamins to pregnant women in the Medicaid program. The cost of choline and other prenatal vitamins is low, but beyond the financial capability of many women supported by Medicaid. Withdrawal of this economical benefit could result in more preterm birth, which requires expensive Neonatal Intensive Care, and more childhood mental illness, which requires year of expensive medical and educational treatment.