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Status of folate in healthy children in Almeria.

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Title: Status of folate in healthy children in Almeria.
Authors: Gómez-Bueno S; Departament of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Torrecardenas, Paraje Torrecardenas s/n, 04009, Almería, Spain. saragb22@hotmail.com.; Almería, Spain. saragb22@hotmail.com., Vázquez-López MA; Departament of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Torrecardenas, Paraje Torrecardenas s/n, 04009, Almería, Spain., García-Escobar I; Departament of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Torrecardenas, Paraje Torrecardenas s/n, 04009, Almería, Spain., Cabrera-Sevilla JE; Departament of Pediatrics, Hospital General Universitario Santa Lucia, Cartagena, Murcia, Spain., Ortiz Pérez M; Departament of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Torrecardenas, Paraje Torrecardenas s/n, 04009, Almería, Spain., Bonillo-Perales A; Departament of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Torrecardenas, Paraje Torrecardenas s/n, 04009, Almería, Spain., Lendinez-Molinos F; Departament of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Torrecardenas, Paraje Torrecardenas s/n, 04009, Almería, Spain.
Source: European journal of pediatrics [Eur J Pediatr] 2021 Jun; Vol. 180 (6), pp. 1825-1832. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jan 31.
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: • Folic acid is an essential micronutrient for optimal growth and development; its deficit is associated with adverse health effects. • 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: • 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.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Springer Verlag Country of Publication: Germany NLM ID: 7603873 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1432-1076 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03406199 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Eur J Pediatr Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: Berlin : Springer Verlag
Original Publication: Berlin, New York, Springer-Verlag.
MeSH Terms: Folic Acid Deficiency*/epidemiology , Vitamin B 12 Deficiency*, Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Folic Acid ; Humans ; Vitamin B 12
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Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Deficiency; Nutritional status; Serum B12; Serum folate
Substance Nomenclature: 935E97BOY8 (Folic Acid)
P6YC3EG204 (Vitamin B 12)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20210131 Date Completed: 20210623 Latest Revision: 20210731
Update Code: 20240513
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-020-03902-2
PMID: 33517500
ISSN: 1432-1076
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-020-03902-2
Database: MEDLINE
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