Abstract

AIM: We studied the serum and the erythrocyte folate levels in homozygous and heterozygous thalassemics and the healthy controls with the aim of finding out the possible folic acid insufficiency.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 41 homozygous beta thalassemia patients mean age 11.3 ± 7.18 yrs, 29 hetorozygous thalassemic mothers mean age 31.8 ± 4.2 yrs and 48 healthy controls of 5-40 yrs. Blood samples are studied by the RIA method and solid phase boil dual count (DPC) kit is used.

RESULTS: Mean serum folate levels were found within the normal range in each group studied being lower in the homozygous and the heterozygous thalassemics than the healthy controls (p<0.05). Low serum folate levels were seen in the patients older than 15 years. Mean erythrocyte folate levels of the groups, however, were found higher than the normal range 1175 ± 897 ng/ml for homozygous patients, 1148 843 ng/ml for heterozygous thalassemic and 1204 920 ng/ml for the healthy control. No statistical difference was found between the groups (p>0.05). Non of the cases studied had low serum folate levels may be seen in homozygous beta thalassemia; however this finding does not designate, by itself, insufficiency of folic acid in these patients.