FOLATE STATE OF PREMATURE INFANTS

The normal values for serum and red cell folate in 70 premature infants followed for the first 6 months were investigated. The values found were related to dietary folate intake, to Hb levels, and in some cases to maternal levels. High levels of both serum and red cell folate were found in the infants at birth; the levels dropped rapidly until they reached low values at 3 months of age. These low levels were probably related to a low dietary folate intake, and the exhaustion of the high initial stores derived from the mother. There was good correlation between the red cell folate and Hb levels in the infant, and between the red cell folate levels of the mother and of her infant during the neonatal period.