title: Folacin and iron status and hematological findings in predominately black elderly persons from urban low-income households.
abstract: The folacin and iron status and hemotological parameters of 193 persons 60 years of age and older from urban low-income households were evaluated. Of the serum folacin values 30% were between 3 and 6 ng/ml and 8% were below 3 ng/ml. Of these subjects 60% could be classified as "high risk" (less than 140 ng/ml) and 11% as "medium risk" (140 to 160 ng/ml) based on red blood cell folacin concentrations. Serum iron was normal (greater than 50 micrograms/dl) for all subjects as was transferrin saturation (greater than 15%). Hematological indices showed a 14% incidence of anemia (hemaglobin less than 12 g/dl), and 32% incidence of leukopenia (leukocytes less than 4.8 X 10(3)). These findings demonstrate widespread folacin deficiency and no evidence of iron deficiency in these elderly people.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D044383:Black People; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid; D007501:Iron