Folate nutrition and growth in infancy.

Abstract

SUMMARY The effect of suboptimal folate nutrition on the growing infant was studied in a population of infants fed a diet based on boiled, pasteurised cows' milk. One group of infants received a daily supplement of 1 mg folic acid from age 2 months, while the other group received a placebo. The infants were seen at bimonthly intervals. In the supplemented group the red cell folate level had increased to twice its pretreatment value by 4 months, and remained at this high level to the end of the first year. Hb concentration and incidence of anaemia were similar in both groups. The incidence of infection in the two groups did not differ. Weights and lengths attained at 6 months, and the rate of gain from 2 to 6 months were higher in infants whose folate levels were above the median value than in those below it. In the second half of the first year the differences between the two groups were no longer evident.

Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for folate

“…In a systematic review, Lohner et al (2012) identified three intervention studies with folic acid in healthy infants receiving folic acid supplements (5-1 000 µg/day) and measuring serum folate (Hadler et al, 2008), red blood cell folate (Matoth et al, 1979) or both (Asfour et al, 1977). In a nonrandomised controlled trial, Asfour et al (1977) provided, for up to eight months, folic acid at 0, 5 or 10 µg/day in addition to a formula diet with a known folate concentration (196 µg/kg formula powder) to 20 Lebanese orphans weighing between about 3.5 and 8 kg and aged 2-11 months at the start of the study.…”

“…In a nonrandomised controlled trial, Asfour et al (1977) provided, for up to eight months, folic acid at 0, 5 or 10 µg/day in addition to a formula diet with a known folate concentration (196 µg/kg formula powder) to 20 Lebanese orphans weighing between about 3.5 and 8 kg and aged 2-11 months at the start of the study. In the studies by Hadler et al (2008) and Matoth et al (1979), no information is available on the intake of dietary folate and thus on total DFE intake. In the studies by Hadler et al (2008) and Matoth et al (1979), no information is available on the intake of dietary folate and thus on total DFE intake.…”

Prevalence of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency in Mexican children aged 1 to 6 years in a population-based survey

“…[3][4][5] During pregnancy, it is linked to an increased risk of low birth weight and neural tube defects, 6,7 and it is also associated with stunting. 8,9 Vitamin B12 deficiency is more frequent in population with a poor or inadequate diet of animal foods. 10 Other causes of this deficiency include: intestinal parasitosis in low-income population, 11 Helycobacter pylori infections, 12 and atrophic gastritis in older adults (due to lack of intrinsic factor production).…”

The effect of folic acid supplementation with ferrous sulfate on the linear and ponderal growth of children aged 6–24 months: a randomized controlled trial

“…[10][11][12] In addition, a lack of folate may act as a limiting factor in weight gain and stature growth. [12][13][14] Studies also imply that iron plus folic acid supplementation can be justified based on the beneficial effects of these compounds on the cognitive and motor development in infants, [15][16][17] thereby reducing the risk of iron deficiency anemia. 18 The benefits and disadvantages of using different dosages of iron either alone or in combination have been investigated, but only partially, in relation to linear growth and weight gain.…”