FOLACIN AND IRON STATUS AND HEMATOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN PREDOMINATELY BLACK ELDERLY PERSONS FROM URBAN LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS

The folacin and iron status and hematological parameters of 193 persons 60 years of age and older from urban low-income households were evaluated. Of the serum folacin values 30% were between 3 and 6 ng/ml and 8% were below 3 ng/ml. Of these subjects 60% could be classified as high risk (<140 ng/ml) and 11% as medium risk (140 to 160 ng/ml) based on red blood cell folacin concentrations. Serum iron was normal (>50 μg/dl) for all subjects as was transferrin saturation (>15%). Hematological indices showed a 14% incidence of anemia (hemoglobin <12 g/dl), and 32% incidence of leukopenia (leukocytes <4.8x103). These findings demonstrate widespread folacin deficiency and no evidence of iron deficiency in these elderly people.