title: Synthetic folic acid intakes and status in children living in Ireland exposed to voluntary fortification.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the context of mandatory and voluntary folic acid fortification, the exposure of children to folic acid has been a focus of concern, particularly regarding the possibility of whether any potentially adverse effects will emerge in the future.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We explored concentrations of fasting unmetabolized folic acid (UFA) in the circulation of children living in Ireland who were exposed to the voluntary folic acid-fortification regimen in place in Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy children who were attending Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, for routine minor surgery were recruited to provide a fasting 3-mL blood sample that was taken while a general anesthetic was administered. The samples were analyzed for plasma folate, red blood cell folate, and UFA concentrations. A short dietary questionnaire that captured recent and habitual intakes of folic acid, both as supplements and as fortified foods, was completed face to face with parents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We collected fasting samples (n = 68) and completed questionnaires that captured recent and habitual daily folic acid intakes of children grouped as follows: 0-5 y of age: 6 girls and 21 boys (27 children total); 6-10 y of age: 10 girls and 10 boys (20 children total); and 11-16 y of age: 10 girls and 11 boys (21 children total). UFA was detected in 10.3% of the samples tested (range: 0.5-1.3 nmol/L). Mean plasma folate and red blood cell folate concentrations were 35.1 nmol/L (range: 21-47 nmol/L) and 956 nmol/L (range: 305-2319 nmol/L), respectively. Mean daily intake of folic acid from fortified foods and supplements was 109 μg (range: 0-767 μg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We showed that there was UFA in the plasma of just >10% of the children sampled after an overnight fast. These findings should be considered by policy makers who are responsible for folic acid fortification. This trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN90038765.
authors.affiliation: Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland;
authors.forename: Shashi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vaish
authors.affiliation: Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland;
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland;
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; and.
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Molloy
authors.affiliation: Centre for Preventive Medicine and School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staines
authors.affiliation: Centre for Preventive Medicine and School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland maryrose.sweeney@dcu.ie.
authors.forename: Mary Rose
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sweeney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003043:Cocarcinogenesis / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000009:adverse effects; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010290:Parents; D035141:Voluntary Programs
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Ireland; children; unmetabolized folic acid; voluntary folic acid fortification