Folate deficiency screening

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Screening for Folate deficiency is usually not routinely recommended for asymptomatic patients.

Screening

Screening for Folate deficiency is usually not routinely recommended for asymptomatic patients.“Folate Assays Are No Longer Useful as Screening Tests for Malabsorption Syndrome. Now, Iron and B12 Deficiency Are More Common Than Folate Deficiency in Adults with Untreated Celiac Disease. | Blood Journal”.
Screening is only recommended for patients with abnormal complete blood count and increased risk of having folate deficiency such as:^[1]^[2]
- Older people (Age >65)
- Alcohol abusers
- Pregnant or lactating women especially in case of previous history of child with neural tube defect
- Preterm infants
- Lower socioeconomic groups
- History of malabsorption
- Infants on goats’ milk
- Chronic dialysis patients
Screening evaluation include measurement of :
- Complete blood count showing MCV > 100fL with or without low hemoglobin.
- Fasting serum folate level (Adults: 2-20 ng/mL).

References

↑ Clarke R, Refsum H, Birks J, Evans JG, Johnston C, Sherliker P; et al. (2003). “Screening for vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency in older persons”. Am J Clin Nutr. 77 (5): 1241–7. doi:10.1093/ajcn/77.5.1241. PMID 12716678.
↑ Metz, Jack (1999). “Results: Appropriate use of tests for folate and vitamin B12 deficiency”. Australian Prescriber. 22 (1): 16–18. doi:10.18773/austprescr.1999.010. ISSN 0312-8008.

Overview