RT Journal
A1 Pritchard JA, Scott DE, Whalley PJ
T1 FOlic acid requirements in pregnancy-induced megaloblastic anemia
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1969
FD May 19
VO 208
IS 7
SP 1163
OP 1167
DO 10.1001/jama.1969.03160070041010
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1969.03160070041010
AB 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.