Alon Shrim1, Bhushan Kapur2, Jennifer Snyder3, Olga Basso4, David Blank5, Richard N Brown3. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Hillel Yafe Medical Centre, Israel. Electronic address: alon.shrim@gmail.com. 2. Department of Clinical Pathology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Canada. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada. 5. Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess factors associated with low Red Blood Cell folate (RBCf) levels in an obstetric population in a tertiary centre. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Three hundred and fifty women completed a questionnaire detailing use of folic acid supplementation, and had their RBCf levels measured. Values ≥ 906 nmol/L were considered optimal. Factors associated with optimal RBCf were assessed, individually and in a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Median RBCf was 1282 nmol/L. Thirty-five women (10%) had suboptimal levels. Predictors of suboptimal RBCf were non-Caucasian ethnicity, non-consumption of folic acid supplementations, and inadequate health care provider information regarding the benefits of folic acid consumption. CONCLUSION: Although, in our population, a high proportion of women achieved optimal levels of RBCf, some women remain at risk due to inadequate folate consumption. Patient and health care provider education regarding folate can still be improved, particularly in the groups identified to be at greater risk.
OBJECTIVE: To assess factors associated with low Red Blood Cell folate (RBCf) levels in an obstetric population in a tertiary centre. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Three hundred and fifty women completed a questionnaire detailing use of folic acid supplementation, and had their RBCf levels measured. Values ≥ 906 nmol/L were considered optimal. Factors associated with optimal RBCf were assessed, individually and in a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Median RBCf was 1282 nmol/L. Thirty-five women (10%) had suboptimal levels. Predictors of suboptimal RBCf were non-Caucasian ethnicity, non-consumption of folic acid supplementations, and inadequate health care provider information regarding the benefits of folic acid consumption. CONCLUSION: Although, in our population, a high proportion of women achieved optimal levels of RBCf, some women remain at risk due to inadequate folate consumption. Patient and health care provider education regarding folate can still be improved, particularly in the groups identified to be at greater risk.
Authors: Malia S Q Murphy; Katherine A Muldoon; Hauna Sheyholislami; Nathalie Behan; Yvonne Lamers; Natalie Rybak; Ruth Rennicks White; Alysha L J Harvey; Laura M Gaudet; Graeme N Smith; Mark C Walker; Shi Wu Wen; Amanda J MacFarlane Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2021-05-08 Impact factor: 7.045