[Vitamin B12 and folic acid in chronic kidney failure and after kidney transplantation].

Vitamin B12 in plasma, folic acid in plasma and erythrocytes were examined in 11 patients in the polyuric stage of chronic renal failure without dialyzation treatment, in 38 patients included in a long-term dialyzation programme before and after 3 months' oral administration of folic acid--(2 X 5 mg week)--and in 23 patients after transplantation of the kidneys. In none of the examined groups vitamin B12) and folic acid deficiency in plasma was detected. A reduced folic acid level in erythrocytes, but still in the reference range, was found in patients in the long-term dialyzation programme without supplementation. Supplementation with folic acid increased its concentration in plasma 4.5 times and in red cells 5.5 times. Haemodialysis did not influence the concentration of the examined indicators in plasma and red cells. According to the recorded results it is not necessary to supplement patients in long-term dialyzation programme and after renal transplantation with vitamin B12 and folic acid, if their dietary protein intake is not restricted.