South African Medical Journal
Journal / South African Medical Journal / Vol. 48 No. 8 (1974) / Articles

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Published:

Dec 1, 2019

Issue

Vol. 48 No. 8 (1974)

Section

Articles

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Author Biographies

N. Colman

Department of Haematology, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital, Nqutu, KwaZulu

J.V. Larsen

Department of Haematology, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital, Nqutu, KwaZulu

M. Barker

Department of Haematology, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital, Nqutu, KwaZulu

E.A. Barker

Department of Haematology, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital, Nqutu, KwaZulu

R. Green

Department of Haematology, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital, Nqutu, KwaZulu

J. Metz

Department of Haematology, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital, Nqutu, KwaZulu

N. Colman

J.V. Larsen

M. Barker

E.A. Barker

R. Green

J. Metz

Abstract

Red cell folate levels were measured for 6 weeks in an index member and the oldest member of each of 6 families who had been given folic acid-fortified maize meal for use in the home. Five of the index subjects were pregnant and one was lactating. The amount of folic acid added to the maize was calculated so that each adult would receive 500 /Lg folic acid daily. In the index subjects of 5 of the 6 families studied, red cell folate levels rose significantly. The changes in red cell folate levels suggest that pregnant women consume more maize meal than elderly subjects. This possibility would tend to increase the margin of safety when folic acid-fortified foods are consumed by populations in which vitamin B₁₂ deficient megaloblastic anaemia is found.

S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1763 (1974).

Journal Identifiers

eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574