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 .
Supplementation with antioxidants and folinic acid for children with Down’s syndrome: randomised controlled trial
Objectives To assess whether supplementation with antioxidants , folinic acid , or both improves the psychomotor and language development of children with Down ’s syndrome . Design R and omised controlled trial with two by two factorial design . Setting Children living in the Midl and s , Greater London , and the south west of Engl and . Participants 156 infants aged under 7 months with trisomy 21 . Intervention Daily oral supplementation with antioxidants ( selenium 10 μg , zinc 5 mg , vitamin A 0.9 mg , vitamin E 100 mg , and vitamin C 50 mg ) , folinic acid ( 0.1 mg ) , antioxidants and folinic acid combined , or placebo . Main outcome measures Griffiths developmental quotient and an adapted MacArthur communicative development inventory 18 months after starting supplementation ; biochemical markers in blood and urine at age 12 months . Results Children r and omised to antioxidant supplements attained similar developmental outcomes to those without antioxidants ( mean Griffiths developmental quotient 57.3 v 56.1 ; adjusted mean difference 1.2 points , 95 % confidence interval −2.2 to 4.6 ) . Comparison of children r and omised to folinic acid supplements or no folinic acid also showed no significant differences in Griffiths developmental quotient ( mean 57.6 v 55.9 ; adjusted mean difference 1.7 , −1.7 to 5.1 ) . No between group differences were seen in the mean numbers of words said or signed :  for antioxidants versus none the ratio of means was 0.85 ( 95 % confidence interval 0.6 to 1.2 ) , and for folinic acid versus none it was 1.24 ( 0.87 to 1.77 ) . No significant differences were found between any of the groups in the biochemical outcomes measured . Adjustment for potential confounders did not appreciably change the results . Conclusions This study provides no evidence to support the use of antioxidant or folinic acid supplements in children with Down ’s syndrome . Trial registration Clinical trials NCT00378456
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 .