Strelling M K, Blackledge D G, Goodall H B
Arch Dis Child. 1979 Apr;54(4):271-7. doi: 10.1136/adc.54.4.271.
Significant folate deficiency in 14 out of 37 preterm infants of birthweights 2.0 kg or less was found to be reliably and most conveniently diagnosed by abnormal morphological changes in peripheral blood and confirmed by the response to folic acid. Deficiency appeared to be more common in light-for-dates infants including the smaller of twins. Neither the clinical status nor the levels of haemoglobin or erythrocyte folate was a reliable guide to the presence of megaloblastic erythropoiesis in the very young preterm infant. 100-200 microgram folic acid a day, orally or IM, may be required to ensure an optimal haematological response, and this would be appropriate for therapeutic trial if the diagnosis is in doubt. This amount would also replenish tissue folate stores; larger doses are likely to exceed the requirements of small infants.
在37名出生体重2.0千克或更低的早产儿中，发现有14名存在明显的叶酸缺乏。通过外周血形态学异常变化可可靠且最便捷地诊断叶酸缺乏，并通过对叶酸的反应得以证实。叶酸缺乏在小样儿（包括较小的双胞胎）中似乎更为常见。临床状况、血红蛋白水平或红细胞叶酸水平均不能可靠地指导极年幼早产儿巨幼红细胞生成的存在情况。可能需要每天口服或肌肉注射100 - 200微克叶酸，以确保获得最佳血液学反应，若诊断存疑，这将适用于治疗性试验。这个剂量也能补充组织叶酸储备；更大剂量可能会超过小婴儿的需求。
