title: Discontinuation of Folic Acid Supplementation in Young Patients With Sickle Cell Anemia.
abstract: Folic acid (FA) is commonly prescribed for patients with sickle cell anemia, but evidence for the efficacy of this practice is lacking. We stopped FA supplementation and measured red blood cell folate levels after discontinuation of FA in 72 patients with clinically severe forms of sickle cell disease. We compared hemoglobin and reticulocyte counts before and after FA discontinuation in 51 of those patients, the majority of whom were on hydroxyurea. No patients had red blood cell folate levels below normal and no significant difference in hemoglobin levels (P=0.18) or reticulocyte counts (P=0.37) was found before and after FA discontinuation.
authors: *Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond †Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders of Northern Virginia, Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, Falls Church, VA.
authors: Giang-Kim T
authors: GT
authors: Nguyen
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Lewis
authors: Carol
authors: C
authors: Goldener
authors: Brenda
authors: B
authors: Reed
authors: Robin Yates
authors: RY
authors: Dulman
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017701:Reticulocyte Count; D028761:Withholding Treatment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D005492:Folic Acid; D006918:Hydroxyurea