Folic acid supplementation in children with sickle cell disease: study protocol for a double-blind randomized cross-over trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder which causes dysfunctional red blood cells (RBC) and is thought to increase requirements for folate, an essential B vitamin, due to increased RBC production and turnover in the disease. High-dose supplementation with 1-5 mg/d folic acid, synthetic folate, has been the standard recommendation for children with SCD. There is concern about whether children with SCD need such high doses of folic acid, following mandatory folic acid fortification of enriched grains in Canada, and advancements in medical therapies which extend the average lifespan of RBCs. In animal and human studies, high folic acid intakes (1 mg/d) have been associated with accelerated growth of some cancers, and the biological effects of circulating unmetaboli

SUBMITTER: Williams BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7325072 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature