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 .
Hyperhomocysteinemia in children treated with antiepileptic drugs is normalized by folic acid supplementation.
PURPOSE To assess the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in pediatric patients treated with antiepileptic drugs ( AEDs ) and to evaluate the effect of folic acid supplementation on plasma total homocysteine ( tHcy ) concentrations in hyperhomocysteinemic patients . METHODS 123 patients from three regional hospitals participated in the study . Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia were included in a 3-month double-blind r and omized trial testing oral folic acid supplementation ( 1 mg/day ) versus placebo . RESULTS Hyperhomocysteinemia ( tHcy > 10.4 micromol/L ) was present in 19 of 123 patients . Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia were older ( 13.7 + /- 4 vs. 11.0 + /- 3.9 years ) and had significantly lower folate and cobalamin concentrations . Multidrug ( two or more ) AED treatment and duration of therapy correlated significantly with elevated total homocysteine ( tHcy ) and low folate . In contrast , polymorphisms in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene ( MTHFR 677 C-->T , 1298 A-->C , 1793 G-->A ) had no significant impact on tHcy . Nine of 19 patients with hyperhomocysteinemia were r and omized to placebo , whereas the remaining 10 patients received folic acid supplementation . Folic acid supplementation result ed in a significant increase of folate and decrease of tHcy , whereas both parameters remained unchanged in the placebo group . CONCLUSIONS Hyperhomocysteinemia is present in 15.5 % of children receiving long-term AED treatment . Multidrug treatment and long duration of therapy enhance the risk for hyperhomocysteinemia . Folic acid supplementation significantly reduces tHcy . We recommend assessment of serum folate and plasma tHcy in children receiving AEDs
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 .