We conclude that both serum and erythrocyte folate values reflect folate intake ; however , serum folate reacts more rapidly to folate intake than erythrocyte folate .
As to health outcomes , we found no evidence indicating that additional intake of folate can influence haematological parameters in non-anaemic paediatric patients .
We were unable to find evidence of a favourable effect of folate supplementation on the growth of infants .
However , the limited data available suggest that supplementing the diet of low-birth-weight infants with folic acid may moderate the rapid fall of serum and red cell folate in the first months of life
The aim of this systematic review was to collect all available r and omized controlled trials on the effect of folate supplementation on folate status and health outcomes within the paediatric age group .
Folate and Vitamin B6 Rapidly Normalize Endothelial Dysfunction In Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
BACKGROUND . Endothelial dysfunction , a precursor of vascular disease , begins early in type 1 diabetes mellitus and is associated with folate status . METHODS . A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study of folate ( 5 mg daily ) and vitamin B6 ( 100 mg daily ) in 124 children with type 1 diabetes determined the immediate and 8-week effects of these vitamins , alone and in combination , on endothelial function . Endothelial function , assessed as flow-mediated dilation and glyceryltrinitrate-induced dilation with  high-resolution ultrasound  of the brachial artery , was measured at baseline , at 2 and 4 hours after the first dose ( n = 35 ) , and at 4 and 8 weeks of treatment ( n = 122 ) . RESULTS . Flow-mediated dilation normalized in all treatment groups . From baseline to 8 weeks , flow-mediated dilation improved with folate from 2.6 % ± 4.3 % ( mean ± SD ) to 9.7 % ± 6.0 % , with vitamin B6 from 3.5 % ± 4.0 % to 8.3 % ± 4.2 % , and with folate/vitamin B6 from 2.8 % ± 3.5 % to 10.5 % ± 4.4 % . This improvement in flow-mediated dilation occurred within 2 hours and was maintained at 8 weeks for each treatment . Flow-mediated dilation in the placebo group , and glyceryltrinitrate-induced dilation in all groups , did not change . Increases in serum folate , red cell folate , and serum vitamin B6 levels related to increases in flow-mediated dilation . Improvement in flow-mediated dilation was independent of changes in total plasma homocyst(e)ine , glucose , hemoglobin A1c , and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels . Baseline red cell folate levels and baseline diastolic blood pressure were related inversely to improvement in flow-mediated dilation . Serum triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol inversely related to baseline flow-mediated dilation . CONCLUSIONS . High-dose folate and vitamin B6  normalized endothelial dysfunction in children with type 1 diabetes . This effect was maintained over 8 weeks , with no additional benefit from combination treatment
We conclude that both serum and erythrocyte folate values reflect folate intake ; however , serum folate reacts more rapidly to folate intake than erythrocyte folate .
As to health outcomes , we found no evidence indicating that additional intake of folate can influence haematological parameters in non-anaemic paediatric patients .
We were unable to find evidence of a favourable effect of folate supplementation on the growth of infants .
However , the limited data available suggest that supplementing the diet of low-birth-weight infants with folic acid may moderate the rapid fall of serum and red cell folate in the first months of life
The aim of this systematic review was to collect all available r and omized controlled trials on the effect of folate supplementation on folate status and health outcomes within the paediatric age group .