title: The effect of folic acid supplementation in beta-thalassemia major: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.
abstract: Folic acid is a coenzyme for many important biochemical reactions including synthesis of purines, pyrimidines, and nucleoproteins. The recommended daily allowance of folic acid is 65 - 200 microg/day for infants and children. The recommended dose for deficiency states is 1000 microg/day; the effects of excess amounts of folic acid are unknown. The role of folic acid in preventing progression of arteriosclerosis is rather a new issue. Thrombotic events related to slightly elevated levels of homocystein in adults may be decreased by daily consumption of 1 mg of folic acid together with 5 - 100 mg of pyridoxine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Thalassemia Research Center, Bou-Ali Sina Hospital, Iran.
authors.forename: Fereidoon
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mojtahedzadeh
authors.forename: Mehrnoush
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kosaryan
authors.forename: Mohammad-Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mahdavi
authors.forename: Jafar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Akbari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid