The absorption of folic acid in megaloblastic anaemia associated with pregnancy

Abstract

Abstract The absorption of folic acid was studied in 29 patients with megaloblastic anaemia following pregnancy, and in control subjects. When compared with control subjects, the serum S. faecalis folic acid levels after an oral dose of pteroylglutamic acid (PGA) were within normal limits in 22 of 24 patients tested, and the urinary radioactivity after oral administration of tritiated pteroylglutamic acid (3H PGA) was normal in all nine patients tested. In one patient with a subnormal peak serum S. faecalis folic acid level, the urinary excretion of radioactivity after 3H PGA was normal. Haematological remission was induced with 0.4 mg. PGA daily by mouth in all nine patients so treated. It is concluded that there is no consistent defect in folic acid absorption in the patients studied.