Folic Acid Requirements in Pregnancy-Induced Megaloblastic Anemia

Abstract
After delivery of the fetus and placenta, women with pregnancy-induced megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency responded to the administration of as little as 50μg of folic acid per day while they were receiving a low folate diet. The presence of a fetus and placenta increased the amount of folic acid necessary to induce a comparable hematological response to 0.5 mg/day or somewhat more. One milligram of folic acid uniformly produced a satisfactory hematological response prior to delivery even when pregnancy requirements were augmented further by twin fetuses or chronic hemolysis. Consequently, daily supplementation with 1 mg of folic acid during pregnancy should protect all pregnant women against folate deficiency including those with multiple fetuses, chronic hemolysis, and repetitive megaloblastic anemia.

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