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 .
Does Oral Folic Acid Lower Total Homocysteine Levels and Improve Endothelial Function in Children With Chronic Renal Failure?
Background —Accelerated vascular disease is common in chronic renal failure ( CRF ) and accounts for significant mortality and morbidity . Elevated homocysteine levels may contribute by an effect on endothelial function . Methods and Results —We performed a double-blind placebo-controlled r and omized crossover trial of folic acid at 5 mg/m2 in 25 normotensive children 12±3 ( 7 to 17 ) years of age with CRF ( glomerular filtration rate 26.8±13.2 mL/min per 1.73 m2 ) of noninflammatory etiology . Each subject underwent two 8-week periods of folic acid and placebo separated by an 8-week washout period . The effect of folic acid  on homocysteine levels , LDL oxidation , and both endothelial-dependent and -independent vascular function were measured . After oral folic acid , serum folate levels rose from 11.7±4.25 to 635±519 & mgr;g/L ( P = 0.001 ) , red cell folate levels rose from 364±195 to 2891±2623 & mgr;g/L ( P < 0.001 ) , and total homocysteine levels fell from 10.28±4.16 to 8.62±2.32 & mgr;mol/L ( P = 0.03 ) . In addition , there was a significant improvement in flow-mediated dilatation ( FMD ) ( endothelial-dependent dilatation ) from 7.21±2.8 % to 8.47±3.01 % ( P = 0.036 ) with no change in response to glyceryl trinitrate ( endothelial-independent dilatation ) . There was no significant change in FMD or glyceryl trinitrate during the placebo phase . There was , however , no significant difference in final FMD after placebo or folic acid . Lag times for LDL oxidation were prolonged during the treatment phase ( 58.4±18.7 to 68.1±25.9 minutes , P = 0.01 ) . Conclusion —Folic acid supplementation in children with CRF  may improve endothelial function with an increased resistance of LDL to oxidation
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 .