Status of folate in healthy children in Almeria
- 31 May 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in European Journal of Pediatrics
- Vol. 180 (6), 1825-1832
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-020-03902-2
Abstract
The objective of this study is to establish reference values for folic acid in a healthy population of children aged 4-11 years and to examine related epidemiological, dietary and analytical factors. A cross-sectional study of 658 healthy children aged 4-11 years was made. Epidemiological, socioeconomic and dietary variables were analysed, the BMI Z-score was obtained, levels of serum folate and serum vitamin B-12 were determined and haematological, iron status and erythropoietic activity parameters were examined. The study data were analysed by non-parametric tests and linear multiple regression. The mean folate value was 8.6 +/- 4.6 ng/mL (95% reference interval: 2.8-20 ng/mL). A level < 3 ng/mL (5th percentile) was considered as folate deficiency (4.6% of subjects). No child reported symptoms related to this deficiency. Folate values were significantly lower with age (p < 0.01), low NSE and low parental educational level (p: 0.0001). No relationship was found between folates and the analytical variables. According to multivariate linear regression, the variables significantly associated with serum folate were age, socioeconomic level and vitamin B-12. Conclusions: Serum folate levels in healthy school children are described. Age, socioeconomic level and serum vitamin B-12 are factors associated with folate status. Specific cut-off values for a paediatric population should be defined. What is Known: center dot Folic acid is an essential micronutrient for optimal growth and development; its deficit is associated with adverse health effects. center dot The studies on their status and deficit are not comparable due to a lack of agreement on appropriate indicators and reference values. What is New: center dot This study reports the levels of serum folate in a large population of healthy schoolchildren, with strict inclusion criteria in a developed country and identifies the associated sociodemographic, dietary and analytical (vitamin B12, iron parameters and erythropoietic activity) factors, avoiding potential confusion.Keywords
This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit:
- Socioeconomic factors are associated with folate and vitamin B12 intakes and related biomarkers concentrations in European adolescents: the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence studyNutrition Research, 2014
- The ALADINO Study: A National Study of Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Spanish Children in 2011BioMed Research International, 2013
- Association Between Maternal Use of Folic Acid Supplements and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in ChildrenJAMA, 2013
- Overview of homocysteine and folate metabolism. With special references to cardiovascular disease and neural tube defectsJournal of Inherited Metabolic Disease, 2010
- Folate, Related B Vitamins, and Homocysteine in Childhood and Adolescence: Potential Implications for Disease Risk in Later LifePublished by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) ,2009
- Folic acid with or without vitamin B12 for the prevention and treatment of healthy elderly and demented peopleCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008
- Folato sérico en población adolescente de la Comunidad de MadridMedicina Clinica, 2008
- Estudio transversal español de crecimiento 2008. Parte II: valores de talla, peso e índice de masa corporal desde el nacimiento a la talla adultaAnales de Pediatría, 2008
- Total serum homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in a Greek school age populationClinical Nutrition, 2006
- The prevalence of folic acid deficiency among adolescent girls living in Edirne, TurkeyJournal of Adolescent Health, 2006