Folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnancy and in the neonatal period.

Abstract

The fetus, the neonate, and the pregnant woman have a greater requirement for folic acid and vitamin B12 and are more likely to suffer from a deficiency of these vitamins. This article reviews the source, requirement, absorption, and metabolism of these vitamins and discusses the problems attributed to their deficiency in pregnancy and in the neonatal period.