Serum Folic Acid Levels in Pregnancy and their Relationshi to Megaloblastic Marrow Change

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Abstract
Summary In a prospective study of a randomly selected group of pregnant women it has been shown that the mean serum folic acid level falls as pregnancy advances and that 3 months after delivery the level has not reached that of non‐pregnant women in the child bearing age.Low serum folic acid levels at the first visit and subsequently throughout pregnancy were observed in 15 patients who developed megaloblastic erythropoiesis at or near term. The haemoglobin level at term of patients with a low folic acid level at the first visit was significantly lower when compared with those with a higher initial level.The duration of low serum folic acid levels, and its relation to subsequent marrow change towards full megaloblastosis is discussed.