[Assessment of the folate supply in children with regard to cobalamin and iron maintenance. 3: Modification of the supply status by various diseases].

Assessment and Evaluation of the Folacin Supply in Children with Respect to the Cobalamin- and Iron Status - 3rd Communication. On the basis of biochemical data concerning folate-, cobalamin- and iron status of healthy children (n = 165) we estimated the supply situation in 258 children with different diseases. Patients suffering from celiac disease showed in a high frequency symptoms of a "subclinical-manifest" folate deficiency. In spite of folate therapy in Crohn's disease the supply situation was as bad. The supply situation of the controls and infected children was comparable. Anticonvulsant (folate antagonists) therapy had a significant influence on the folate status demonstrated with radioimmunological technique. In contrast to these results patients suffering from phenylketonuria had exceptionally better folate values than the controls. Obviously the vitamin content of the diet products exceeds the recommendations.