title: Significance of subnormal red-cell folate in thalassaemia.
abstract: Subnormal red-cell folate values were encountered in 20 of 63 thalassaemic subjects in a population with a low incidence of megaloblastosis. The abnormality was not associated with haematological changes of megaloblastosis and could not be explained on the basis of incomplete liberation of intra-erythrocytic folates, serum conjugase deficiency of vitamin B12 deficiency. Evidence is presented to indicate that it is unlikely to represent a state of subclinical folate deficiency. The exact cause of the abnormality is unknown.
mesh_terms: D000749:Anemia, Megaloblastic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000378:metabolism; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000150:complications*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D011623:gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid; D011623:gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase; D014805:Vitamin B 12