Folic acid status in normal infants during the first year of life.

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Abstract
Twenty-four normal full-term infants were followed during the 1st year of life in order to establish normal values for parameters related to folic acid metabolism, and to determine whether by adult standards there was evidence of folic acid deficiency in this age-group. After the 3rd month means values for serum and whole blood folate were lower than in adults. Figlu and urocanic acid excretion were of the same order as in normal adults, providing the histidine load did not exceed 300 mg per kilogram. This load should not be exceeded. Marginal folate stores during the 1st year are probably related to an intake that is barely adequate to meet the needs of rapid growth. This may result in the rapid development of overt deficiency during illness.

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